In Arunachal’s East Kameng district, STEM labs at govt schools enrich learning

At PMSHRI Government High Secondary School in Doimukh, there is another STEM lab used by students of Class 9-12. From a model of the solar system to a 3D printer, the lab has tools for an immersive learning experience.

“It’s a nice way to learn,” says Taksin Barty, a class 9 student at the school. “Textbook learning becomes a bit boring at times. But over here, we are seeing for ourselves and also performing the experiments on our own. So, the learning becomes better,” Barty adds.

STEM labs typically provide a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. These labs often feature state-of-the-art equipment, software, and technologies that enable students to design, build, test, and refine their projects.

From access to cutting-edge technologies, such as 3D printers, robotics, and coding software, the lab provides resources to students for data analysis, simulation, prototyping, and testing.

“Like the DNA model really helps us understand genetics. It would not be possible through textbooks. Also, a model of the upper human body helps us see where the organs are placed. We can physically place the organs. So, our understanding of the organs is now better,” says Nabum Achum, another class 9 student.

While the goals of a STEM lab can vary, depending on the context, common objectives include developing STEM literacy and fluency, encouraging curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

It also helps in preparing students for STEM-related careers and post-secondary education, besides fostering problem-solving skills and providing access to resources and opportunities for the underrepresented groups.

“Science in books may not be very interesting, but through the lab it has become interesting now,” says Dipak Dahal, a science teacher at Government Higher Secondary school in Balijan, which also has a STEM lab. Here, 140 students from class 6 to 10 use the lab.

The Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya at Gumto, boasts of a language lab, where students can improve their communication skills — both verbal and written. There are a total of 20 computers that are accessed by students from Class 6 to 12.

Through various software tools and workshops, the language lab helps students improve their pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, fluency, and become familiar with using the language in everyday situations.

“It is a very innovative and informative way of learning, and students are very much interested and always want to come to the lab and learn,” says Dr Taba Meth, a TGT-trained graduate teacher.

The STEM labs initiative has led to East Kameng district’s Deputy Commissioner Sachin Rana winning the Excellence in Governance Awards 2024, organised by The Indian Express, in the category of Innovative Education.

Four innovation labs and one language lab have been built under the initiative, empowering students with technology and skills.

“When we went to Arunachal Pradesh, we found that many things that are easily available in the rest of the country were not available there… We developed almost 180 projects that were linked to the curriculum of the students. We made sure they learn various skills. They were given toolkits and 3D printers. Over 50,000 labs will be created in this financial year across the country. To identify a vendor in a remote place like Arunachal who can deliver this kind of a thing of international standard was the biggest challenge,” Rana said.

(With input from ENS, New Delhi)