Trichy, Tamil Nadu, welcomes the inauguration of its first STEM Innovation and Learning Center (SILC) at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Kattur. The American India Foundation (AIF) and Atlassian Foundation have collaborated to establish this center, which aims to promote STEM education and provide a platform for students and teachers to explore and engage in advanced STEM courses.
The SILC, designed under AIF’s Digital Equalizer Program, offers a comprehensive solution for STEM learning. The center includes an Innovation Corner, which introduces students to a transdisciplinary learning approach encompassing robotics, AI, space technology, and STEM incubation. Here, students can nurture their curiosity, develop innovative ideas into prototypes, and participate in various competitions at the state, national, and international levels.
The center also features a Technology Corner for Teachers equipped with a smart lab. This facilitates techno-pedagogy-enabled classes and training on AIF’s unique teaching method, the Digital Equalizer Way of Teaching (DEWoT), which caters to different types of learners. Additionally, the center provides a Studio Setup to assist teachers in creating high-quality educational content, including quick reference materials for essential subject definitions and concepts, as well as examination preparation for exams such as NEET and NMMS.
The honorable Minister for School Education, Thiru Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, expressed his gratitude to the American India Foundation for organizing such an event at the Adi Dravidar Welfare School in Trichy. He commended AIF and Atlassian Foundation for providing rural children with this valuable opportunity. He emphasized the positive impact of STEM education, stating that it instills rationalism in kids and allows them to explore diverse fields such as herbal gardening and space technology.
Padma Shri Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, former Director of ISRO and mentor for the SILC, aims to integrate space technology into the center’s activities through the Digital Equalizer’s TLM (Teacher Learning Material). With Dr. Annadurai’s guidance, the SILC seeks to impact 4,000 teachers and 60,000 students across 250 schools, promoting a new era of STEM education in Tamil Nadu.
Prior to the inauguration of the SILC, a two-day Drone Satellite Launch Vehicle Mission (DSLV) and Aerodynamics Workshop were conducted at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School. This workshop provided hands-on experience to 100 students from six government schools, allowing them to assemble drones, fabricate gliders and mini rockets, and gain practical knowledge about satellite launches.
The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries such as Abirami, District Revenue Officer; Sigaram Sathish Kumar, Coordinator, Aasiriyar Manasu; Sivakumar, Chief Educational Officer, School Education Department; and Dr. D. Baskaran, Head – Innovation & Technology and Regional Manager – South, AIF.
Michelle Holmes, Director of the Atlassian Foundation, highlighted the significance of education in empowering individuals. She emphasized the role of AIF’s DE program in connecting schools, parents, and the government to deliver a tech-forward learning experience and equip youth with 21st-century skills. The Atlassian Foundation is excited about their partnership with AIF and the transformative impact it will have on education.
Mathew Joseph, Country Director of AIF, acknowledged the partnership between AIF and the government in advancing STEM education and empowering youth in Tamil Nadu. He stressed the importance of a strong curriculum, expert guidance, and support for children to pursue STEM careers. Joseph congratulated the students who participated in the training and launched their prototypes, expressing immense pride in their accomplishments.
In conclusion, Trichy’s first STEM Innovation and Learning Center at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School marks a significant milestone in promoting STEM education in Tamil Nadu. With state-of-the-art facilities and comprehensive learning programs, the SILC aims to inspire students, nurture their innovative ideas, and equip them with the skills needed for a successful future in STEM fields.
