By Amruta Pawar, STEM Coordinator, CYDA
On July 26, 2025, the Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA) marked a significant milestone by presenting its groundbreaking model, “Unplugged to Plugged: Computational Thinking Without Computers,” at the prestigious 7th Conference on Computational Thinking in Schools (CTiS 2025), held at IISER Pune. The event brought together educators, researchers, and innovators from across India, providing a platform to share progressive ideas that are shaping the future of STEM education.
Representatives from the CYDA team, Ms. Pramodini Naik, Assistant Director of the Adolescent and Youth Unit, and Ms. Amruta Pawar, STEM Coordinator, emphasized the importance of computational thinking as a crucial 21st-century skill. They presented effective methods for teaching this skill through unplugged, cost-effective, and engaging activities that foster interactive learning.This approach is designed to make coding principles and problem-solving strategies accessible to learners even in resource-constrained settings, ensuring “No student is left behind” due to a lack of technology.
The presentation emphasized how the Unplugged to Plugged methodology not only simplifies complex computational concepts but also nurtures creativity, teamwork and logical reasoning in students. Through examples and demonstrations, the team illustrated how activities without computers can seamlessly transition into digital learning, bridging gaps between traditional and modern education systems. The session received overwhelming appreciation from the audience, which included educators, researchers, and policymakers deeply invested in inclusive education.
Many participants actively engaged with the ideas presented, raising thought-provoking questions and expressing their intent to integrate this methodology into their own institutions. The positive feedback reinforced the model’s potential to transform classrooms, particularly in underserved communities where access to technology remains a challenge. The conference also offered opportunities for rich dialogue and collaboration.
Dignitaries acknowledged the approach as a scalable, cost-effective, and impactful teaching strategy that aligns with the needs of the future workforce. This recognition reaffirmed CYDA’s mission of empowering educators with innovative tools and equipping students with the critical thinking skills necessary for the digital age. Ultimately, this platform was more than just a presentation; it was a step toward reshaping the narrative of technology education in India. By demonstrating that computational thinking can thrive even without computers, this opened new pathways for making STEM education inclusive, engaging, and future-ready. This success stands as a testament to the commitment to driving educational transformation-one innovative idea at a time. The journey continues, fueled by the belief that every learner deserves the right tools, opportunities, and encouragement to excel in the world of technology and beyond.
