~IIT Gandhinagar has launched the fifth season of its Curiosity Program, reaching over 1.5 lakh KGBV girl students across eight states to promote STEM education through interactive and hands-on learning.
Gandhinagar, Gujarat, July 16 (VNI): The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN), through its Centre for Creative Learning (CCL), in collaboration with Samagra Shiksha, has launched the fifth season of its flagship biweekly online Curiosity Program, benefiting more than 1.5 lakh girl students from 1,962 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) across eight states.
The new season began with a first-of-its-kind initiative, where eight students from KGBVs in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Tripura visited the IIT Gandhinagar campus and conducted the inaugural online session themselves. The students demonstrated scientific concepts through a paper strip challenge and experiments on the centre of mass of the human body, explaining them to thousands of participants on Zoom and YouTube. Many of the participants came from underprivileged backgrounds, and for several of them, it was their first journey outside their hometown or first train journey, making the experience both educational and transformative.
The Curiosity Program aims to make science and mathematics engaging for girls from educationally and socio-economically disadvantaged communities by connecting classroom concepts with real-world applications through interactive online sessions and hands-on learning. According to IIT Gandhinagar, the initiative has significantly enhanced students’ confidence, curiosity, problem-solving abilities, persistence, and interest in STEM subjects while encouraging inquiry-based learning and independent thinking.
Teachers from participating schools highlighted the programme’s impact. Penina, a teacher at KGBV Damcherra in Tripura, said students eagerly look forward to every session and even remind teachers if one is missed. Asma Banu, a teacher at KGBV Bhatiya in Gujarat, described the programme as invaluable for underprivileged girls, many of whom are orphans or come from below-poverty-line families, adding that the experiential learning opportunities are making a meaningful difference in their lives.
Students have also translated classroom learning into practical achievements. Gulafsha Khatun, a Class IX student from KGBV Loni in Uttar Pradesh, said a Curiosity Program session on centripetal force inspired her to build a working model that was selected for a district-level competition. Another participant, Taniya, said leading the online session at IIT Gandhinagar boosted her confidence and provided an opportunity to interact with students from different states, exposing her to diverse cultures and perspectives. The programme continues to expand access to quality STEM education, empowering girls with knowledge, confidence, and aspirations for higher education and careers in science and technology. VNI NEWS, IIT Gandhinagar, Curiosity Program, KGBV Girls, STEM Education, Samagra Shiksha, Education, Girls Education, Gujarat, VNINews, VNINews.com