By Najiya Shaikh, Project Officer, CYDA
STEM education plays a crucial role in preparing students for the future. It moves learning beyond memorization, helping students apply concepts of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in real-life situations. Through experiments, models, and problem-solving activities, students develop critical thinking, creativity, and logical reasoning. STEM also builds confidence by turning abstract concepts into hands-on experiences, making subjects like Mathematics and Science more approachable and enjoyable. Moreover, it nurtures curiosity and teamwork, equipping learners with skills needed for higher education and modern careers. Ultimately, STEM education empowers students to become innovators and problem-solvers of tomorrow.
Why STEM Training Matters for School Teachers
STEM training equips teachers with practical strategies to move beyond textbook-driven teaching and make learning more engaging. It helps them simplify abstract concepts in Mathematics and Science through experiments, models and hands-on activities. By doing so, students understand lessons better and build curiosity, confidence and problem-solving skills. For teachers, STEM training opens opportunities to innovate in classrooms, collaborate with peers, and create joyful learning environments. Ultimately, it transforms classrooms into spaces where knowledge connects with real life. Without trained teachers, even the best STEM labs remain underutilized.
To understand the ground reality, CYDA carried out assessments in several schools. These assessments revealed many challenges faced by both students and teachers. Students often struggled with abstract concepts in Mathematics and Science and lacked the practical exposure needed to spark curiosity and build confidence. Many found it difficult to connect what they learned in the classroom with real-life situations, which gradually led to a loss of interest in core subjects. Teachers, on the other hand, relied heavily on textbooks, with nearly 80% of teaching being lecture-based and only a small part involving activities. They had limited access to tools that could make learning engaging and felt their scope for trying out innovative methods in classrooms was very restricted.
CYDA’s Two-Way Approach to improve learning experience
To address the gap in STEM teaching and learning, CYDA in collaboration with EMpower has designed a two-way approach:
- STEM Education for Students – making science and mathematics engaging, activity-based, and connected to real-life applications.
- Teachers’ Capacity-Building Training – equipping teachers with innovative, hands-on methods to shift from rote learning to experiential teaching.
Impact of STEM Education
The STEM initiative has made teaching and learning fun for both teachers and students, as 90% of teaching is focused on activity-based learning, while only 10% is referred to textbooks.
- Increased curiosity and interest in Mathematics and Science.
- Active participation in classroom discussions and experiments.
- Improved conceptual clarity and the confidence to ask questions.
- Students consistently scoring above 90 marks in SSC examinations in Mathematics & Science.
STEM activities helped children see, touch, and experiment with abstract concepts. For instance, the Newton Disc makes light and colours tangible, while simple circuit models simplify the understanding of current and voltage. Robotics kits, 3D geometry models, and water testing experiments have connected learning directly with everyday life.
Teachers’ Capacity-Building Training in STEM
CYDA conducts teacher capacity-building programs to equip educators with advanced skills, innovative teaching methods, and technology-driven tools. These trainings help teachers move beyond textbook-based learning, adopt hands-on approaches, and create engaging classrooms where students can better understand and apply scientific and mathematical concepts.
As part of this initiative, Mr. Sunil Narayan Kamble, a dedicated teacher at Agarwal Vidyalaya, attended an intensive STEM training at Aavishkaar, Palampur (Himachal Pradesh). The training emphasized hands-on learning, problem-solving, and creative teaching strategies such as:
- Mathematics with Geoboard
- Mathematics & Science Charcha
- Art & Creativity
- Design Thinking & Problem Solving
- STEM Quiz
The training gave him confidence and provided different tools to shift from rote teaching to experiential methods.
A Teacher’s Journey of Transformation
Before the training, nearly 80% of Mr. Kamble’s lessons were textbook-driven, with limited hands-on activities. Today, 90% of his teaching is activity-based, making Mathematics and Science more interactive, easy to understand, and enjoyable for students.
The impact on students has been remarkable. They show greater curiosity, actively participate in classroom discussions, and demonstrate stronger conceptual clarity. Many have achieved excellent results, with scores above 90 marks in SSC examinations.
A fully equipped STEM Lab at the school has further enriched learning. With tools like Newton’s Disc, robotics kits, 3D models, and water-testing experiments, students directly engage with concepts instead of passively reading them. Group sessions in the lab foster peer learning, collaboration, and problem-solving. He also introduced simple projects, such as building models to calculate load-bearing in bridges or designing household budget plans through mathematics applications.
For Mr. Kamble, STEM has also opened doors to professional growth. He is honoured with the Pimpri Chinchwad Gunwant Shikshak Award for innovative teaching, and now mentors fellow teachers.
“Today, I continue to adopt innovative methods and implement creative activities. The inspiration and energy for this positive change came from CYDA’s STEM training. Students who were once afraid of mathematics began asking for extra sessions. They no longer saw formulas as abstract, but as tools to solve real problems,” admits Mr. Kamble.
Mr. Kamble’s journey highlights how STEM education transforms not just classrooms but also mindsets, turning teachers into facilitators of discovery and students into confident, curious learners.
