By Amruta Pawar, STEM Co-ordinator
Learning does not always need books and classrooms. Sometimes, the best lessons come from simple and fun activities. When students learn by doing, they understand concepts better and remember them for a longer time. Such activities make learning more interesting and engaging. One such exciting experience is the “No Fire Cooking Activity” under the Pre Vocational Training Program, held at the STEM Innovation Learning Center. Pune.
This unique initiative, supported by Coforge and led by the STEM Coordinator, involved 27 students (15 girls and 12 boys) from grades 8 to 10. At the start, many students felt shy and unsure. For most of them, cooking itself was new, let alone cooking without fire. But as soon as the activity began, curiosity and excitement took over.
Students were divided into small groups and given simple ingredients like peanuts, dry fruits, and flattened rice. They prepared dishes such as instant chivda, peanut snack mix and dry fruit mix. Before starting, they followed hygiene practices such as washing hands, wearing gloves and head coverings, and maintaining cleanliness. This helped them understand the importance of food safety and personal responsibility.
Students became more confident as they prepared various snacks. They discussed ideas, shared tasks and supported each other. Girls and Boys worked equally, breaking common stereotypes about cooking. Even students who were quiet at first started participating actively by sharing their ideas.
“We never thought we could cook, but we really enjoyed making food today and working with friends made it fun and easy to learn,” shared few participants.
By the end of the session, students had gained much more than cooking skills. They developed important 21st-century skills like communication, teamwork, creativity and problem-solving. They learnt how to plan, manage time and make decisions while preparing their dishes. These are essential skills for success in today’s world. Cooking without fire is not just a fun activity, it is a valuable life skill. It teaches students that healthy and tasty food can be made even without complex tools. This is especially useful in situations where cooking facilities are limited. It also encourages healthy eating habits and helps students become more independent and confident in taking care of themselves.
Sharing of students –
I learnt how important cleanliness is while making food. Now I understand why we should always wash our hands and keep things neat. – Sunil Chavan, 8th std.
This activity taught me how to plan and share work with others. It made me feel more confident to try new things. – Neha Rathod, 9th std.
“I learnt that we can make healthy food even without fire. It also showed me how to use ingredients without wasting them. – Aadesh Rathod, 10th std.
As part of the Pre-Vocational Training Program, this activity also connects learning to future careers. Students were introduced to basic concepts of the food and hospitality sector, such as hygiene, food handling, presentation and resource management. These skills are useful for careers in catering, hospitality and even small business ventures.
The activity also sparked an entrepreneurial mindset. Students realized that simple snack-making can be turned into a small business idea. They learnt how to use resources wisely, reduce waste and think creatively. In the beginning, only 8 students had prior experience, and around 10 lacked confidences. But, by the end, all 27 students actively participated. Many even shared that they would try these recipes at home.
