VASCSC and ThinkKOSH at Faculty of Technology (FT), CEPT University jointly conducted a weeklong event “STEM Studio” from 27 May to 01 Jun, 2024 for students from 8th to 12th grades. The initiative was an effort towards encouraging young minds to explore emerging technologies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 16 participants got engaged in workshops oriented towards emerging technologies, basics of electronics, 3D printing and laser cutting, augmented reality sandbox, GIS mapping, STEM games and challenges, design thinking, project planning, and entrepreneurship. At the end, their proposals on Sustainable Development Goal 11 “Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” were presented which were reviewed by experts and founders of successful startups.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and VASCSC, in collaboration with the American India Foundation (AIF), organized the L&T STEM Fests, a series of inter-school events designed to promote STEM education among students and teachers.

Three events spanned three regions—Vadodara, Surat, and Chennai—and culminated in a National STEM Challenge in Mumbai. The Fests featured a variety of competitions, engaging workshops, and inspiring science shows and exhibitions, creating a vibrant platform for participants to immerse themselves in STEM learning.

The winners from the regional events earned the opportunity to compete in the National STEM Challenge in Mumbai. The best four teams, consisting of eight students and their respective schools, were recognized with trophies and exciting prizes.

VASCSC collaborated with We Are All Humans (WAAH) to advance science popularization and foster innovative research under the theme of 'Science for Society'. Central to this collaboration are the establishment of WAAH Community Science Centres (WAAH CSCs) and the prestigious WAAH Science Laureate Awards.

WAAH CSCs are equipped with 200+ STEM Teaching Learning Materials (TLMs) performing experiments, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. The key aspect about WAAH CSCs is that they serve not only the host schools but also schools from surrounding areas.

The WAAH Science Laureate Awards aim to encourage individuals as well as scientific community to engage in Science and Technology research and recognize innovative work that addresses societal issues, thereby contributing to the overall development of the society.

VASCSC offered STEM workshops in emerging technology for schools in and around Ahmedabad, catering to underprivileged girl students. These workshops, conducted by VASCSC experts, had been an unique opportunity to provide girls with STEM learning experience. STEM education combines Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics into interdisciplinary, real-world learning experience. This initiative was selected as a part of the Intel Involved-Social Initiative Contest 2022-2023.

The 'Joy of Science - Mobile Science Lab & Exploratory' (MSL) is a unique exploratory-on-wheels which takes science laboratory to underprivileged children, right in their school premises. Through this Mobile Lab, the students get exposure to hands-on learning and science practicals, which is helpful for understanding of difficult curriculum-based concepts with fun and ease. With support from NCSTC, Dept. of Science & Technology, the Centre initiated Mobile Lab in 2018 for schools in Gujarat. This lab is being taken to schools where there is shortage of laboratory facilities. In the second year of its implementation during 2020-21, the Mobile Science Lab experience reached 100 schools. These included schools from Narmada, an aspirational district and rural, remotely located schools, catering to underprivileged children. Other districts covered were Aravalli, Sabarkantha, Anand, Mehsana, Surendranagar, and Ahmedabad. The project was successful with participation of 77000+ students and 2800+ teachers from 340+ upper primary and secondary schools. The vehicle used for the Mobile Lab was procured from grant by KHS Machinery.

With support from Kostwein India (KICPL), VASCSC offered 15 Astronomy and 15 Model Rocketry workshops to schools catering to underprivileged children. Preference was given to schools in Ahmedabad and neighboring districts.
Through this collaboration, we covered 31 schools, trained 129 teachers and taught 1680 students.

With support from TIPL (Truetzschler) India, VASCSC conducted Hands-on Teachers Orientation Workshop for 500 teachers across 164 schools. They prepared various models for teaching difficult concepts and learnt about effective teaching of science and mathematics through hands-on methodology.

While, 15309 students benifitted through the Learning Kits (supported by TIPL) provided; to have a continuity in learning during pandemic times.

In collaboration with AIF, VASCSC, as a Technical Partner conducted 6-days online Teachers Training workshop for 115 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) to build the capacity of the teachers for setting up their School Atal Tinkering Lab. 218 teachers from 15 states participated in the training.

Capacity building of teachers of Gujarat through workshops on 'Hands-on approaches in science & mathematics education', was supported by HCL Foundation under HCL Grants 2020. As part of this project, 12 teachers training workshops were planned for govt. school teachers teaching in std. 6-8. The project was aimed at orienting teachers towards hands-on and experiential learning; thereby building their capacity and equipping them with skills for effective science and mathematics teaching.

Out of these, 9 workshops were conducted in different districts of Gujarat during the reporting year, with participation of 461 teachers. The workshops were organized in in-person mode, after the COVID-19 lockdown was lifted and restrictions were eased. All the necessary guidelines and safety protocols were followed. Masks were distributed to each participant.

VASCSC’s partnership with IBM India started in 2014. With their, VASCSC has conducted hands-on teachers training workshops which directly benefitted over 4200 govt. primary school teachers from Gujarat. Since 2018, new capacity building initiatives focusing on Innovation and AI, for both teachers and students were introduced in keeping up with the latest trends and emerging technologies. In 2020-21, the project with IBM India involved 3 components viz. ATL Teachers Training Workshops, ATL Student Workshops, AI Workshops for Teachers and AI Workshop for Students. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, all trainings were conducted in online mode with Pan-India participation of teachers. Activity material required for the training was sent to each participant beforehand followed by online sessions. This enabled to give hands-on experience to the participants even when they could not attend the training in physical mode.

Two online workshops were conducted for school teachers from Kheroj in Gujarat. These workshops were supported by CInI. The science workshop titled ‘Hands-on Approaches in Science Education’ was conducted during 7-10 Oct 2020 in which 12 teachers participated. A mathematics workshop titled ‘Hands-on Approaches in Mathematics Education’ was conducted during 20 - 23 Oct 2020 in which 23 teachers participated. The workshop activity material was sent to the participants beforehand.

Two online workshops in Mathematics titled ‘Capacity Building Workshop on Mathematics for DIET Faculty Members of Uttar Pradesh Teachers’ were conducted by VASCSC with support from CARE India, Lucknow and SCERT-UP. The first workshop was conducted during 17-19 Feb 2021 and second workshop was conducted during 23-25 Feb 2021. Activity material was sent to the participants beforehand. Total 56 DIET faculty participated in the training workshop.