Challenges Faced in Implementing STEM Education in India

Debating around the importance of STEM Education in Indian curriculum is nothing new. With the government’s aid, the country is making great developments in popularizing STEM subjects among students. Focused towards developing critical thinking, self-management and innovative skills, STEM Education is all about hands-on learning. ‘Do-it-yourself’ activities remains at the core of this rather modern education system.

However, a country like India which produces the highest number of scientists and engineers still struggles to increase involvement of students in this curriculum.

Several challenges are being faced in implementing STEM Education. 

Let’s have a look:

The biggest obstacle in this direction is the infrastructural support. Schools need to design infrastructure to create an environment of scientific learning. It requires funds to bring the required DIY tools and equipment including the best computers. Difficulties are also faced while finding the best guidance and support for children. Making arrangements towards educating the ecosystem about the need for such programs could be one of the possible solutions to overcome these challenges.

Educators’ conventional thinking and more inclination towards traditional learning also create problem. They think that STEM labs will divert students from studies and defined curriculum would be difficult to complete on time. Probably, this problem could be addressed by creating awareness around STEM education and showing the positive side of introducing students to STEM learning.

More boys and fewer girls in this discipline also creates an imbalance. Providing them equal opportunities and career prospects can be a way to bring equilibrium.

India is a developing country that is gradually striving to make its position among renowned nations of the world. This would turn into a reality only if its sizeable young population is educated in science and technology, which is a huge challenge. A major proportion of India’s population is economically backward and lives in poverty.

In this scenario, keeping pace with the global scientific and technological innovation seems like a distant dream. Now, integrating latest developments in STEM in traditional curricula while considering both the employ-ability and the social development of students is a huge challenge. A possible solution could be to increase awareness around the need of education and introducing STEM at the school level. Global STEM job requirements are already up.

India needs to make strategic plans and establish STEM labs in elementary schools to acquainting students to research life, identity their interest areas, foster curiosity and nurture innovation. In addition, there’s a strong need to assist academically brilliant students from economically backward sections to make greater advancements in STEM.

Reference Link:

https://stembridgelabs.tumblr.com/post/175108354847/challenges-faced-in-implementing-stem-education-in

How to Promote STEM Education in School?

Indian education system has realized the potential of STEM in technological and scientific developments. Efforts are also being made to implement STEM education across schools and promote a culture of practical learning and creative thinking. However, there’s a long way to go to increase the popularity of STEM among teachers and students.

While it is clear now that STEM education in school is compulsory for the evolution of skilled workforce to compete at the global level, its practical implementation is still under scrutiny. Besides initiatives like Atal Tinkering Lab, it is crucial to pay attention to other factors that can lead to popularity of STEM.

Let’s look at a few:

Creating a support channel for teachers

Whatever students learn in their classroom, teachers have a great impact on that. Teachers are their first guides and play a significant role in the kind of learning they receive. In this light, it is right to say that teachers’ knowledge and skills affect students’ work and their learning outcomes. Therefore, skilled teachers are first and foremost requirement in creating a STEM learning environment.

Effective teacher preparation can help here:

1. Providing practical learning to teachers
2. Enabling teaching candidates to get involved into the content of their area
3. Focusing on developing their knowledge and capacity
4. Providing them STEM training
5. Allowing them sufficient time to get engaged in teacher development program
6. Providing them skill enhancement programs on regular basis
7. Learning climate

Proper learning environment is essential when it comes to delivering education. Considering the nature of STEM subjects, it is important that the schools provide the kind of environment that facilitates project based learning. Scientific and technology based learning requires state of the art tools and equipment.

Strategic partnerships

Partnerships with institutions to provide support for teachers and students can positively influence the demand for STEM. Curriculum partnerships, collaborations to train teachers or establish STEM labs within school premises can help. These associations and partnerships can enhance the outcome of education system.

Reference Link :

http://stembridgelabs.com/blog/how-to-promote-stem-education-in-school/