Deadline: 06-Apr-2026
UNICEF, in partnership with Samagra Shiksha, is supporting STEM education in Chhattisgarh schools to improve learning outcomes, particularly for girls. The initiative focuses on teacher training, digital fluency, experiential learning, and inclusive access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
Overview
The UNICEF STEM initiative in Chhattisgarh aims to address gaps in school-level science and mathematics learning while expanding access to digital tools and experiential learning opportunities. The program targets Grades 6–10, with a special focus on girls and socio-economically disadvantaged students.
The initiative supports:
- Improved learning outcomes in mathematics and science.
- Expanded digital literacy and coding skills.
- Inclusive, hands-on experiential learning through maker spaces.
- Capacity building of teachers and educators to strengthen STEM pedagogy.
Key Focus Areas
- Gap Analysis and Resource Development
- Conduct mapping of learning gaps in STEM subjects.
- Develop contextually appropriate teaching and learning resources.
- Teacher Training and Capacity Building
- Upskill teachers and educators in STEM pedagogy.
- Train teachers to integrate AI tools and open-source software into classroom instruction.
- Student Engagement and Experiential Learning
- Expand Atal Tinkering Labs and low-cost maker spaces.
- Promote practical problem-solving and innovation activities.
- Digital Fluency and Inclusion
- Strengthen coding and computational skills, with a focus on girls’ participation.
- Provide access to digital devices and learning platforms.
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Integrate digital monitoring systems for real-time tracking.
- Document success stories to inform scaling and continuous improvement.
Who Is Benefiting?
- Students in Grades 6–10, particularly girls and students from rural or socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
- School teachers and educators receiving STEM pedagogical training.
- Government and girls’ schools receiving maker spaces and technology-enhanced learning resources.
Why It Matters
- STEM skills are critical for future workforce readiness and national development.
- Rural and underprivileged students often face learning gaps due to limited access to quality instruction and digital infrastructure.
- Targeted interventions for girls help bridge gender disparities in STEM fields.
- Hands-on and experiential learning promotes critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
How It Works
- Assess STEM Learning Gaps: Use state and national assessment data to identify weak areas in mathematics and science.
- Develop Teaching Resources: Create lesson plans, tools, and AI-enabled teaching aids.
- Train Teachers: Conduct workshops on STEM pedagogy, coding, and digital tools.
- Expand Experiential Learning: Establish Atal Tinkering Labs and low-cost maker spaces for practical learning.
- Monitor Progress: Track student outcomes using integrated digital monitoring systems.
- Document & Scale: Record best practices and success stories for replication across other schools and regions.
Tips for Effective Implementation
- Prioritize inclusive access, ensuring marginalized groups, especially girls, are engaged.
- Combine hands-on learning with digital skills for meaningful outcomes.
- Use data-driven monitoring to adapt interventions in real time.
- Encourage teacher collaboration and peer-learning for consistent pedagogy.
FAQs
1. Which students benefit most from this program?
Grades 6–10 students, with priority for girls and disadvantaged communities.
2. How are teachers involved?
Teachers receive targeted training in STEM pedagogy, coding, AI tools, and experiential learning strategies.
3. What types of learning spaces are provided?
Atal Tinkering Labs and low-cost maker spaces equipped for hands-on STEM activities.
4. How is digital inclusion addressed?
Through coding programs, ICT-enabled classrooms, and access to digital tools, especially for girls.
5. How is program impact measured?
Real-time digital monitoring systems track student learning outcomes and teacher effectiveness.
6. Can this initiative be scaled beyond Chhattisgarh?
Yes, documentation of best practices and success stories will support scaling to other states and regions.
Conclusion
UNICEF’s STEM initiative in Chhattisgarh addresses persistent gaps in science, mathematics, and digital literacy by combining teacher capacity building, inclusive student engagement, and technology-enabled learning. By targeting underrepresented groups, particularly girls, the program strengthens equitable access to education and equips students with essential STEM skills for future opportunities.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.