STEM & SPACE Exploration
Project Title: Science & Space Exploration Program
Implemented by: Saare Tare Zameen Par Trust
Funded by: Magod Laser Pvt. Ltd.
Chief Guest:
Mr. S. Hiriyannna, BE, M, B, A.
(FORMER Senior scientist, ISRO AND Group HEAD, GEOSAT)
Guest of Honour:
- Smt. Pranitha Giriraj (Director) Shree Giriraj K, B
- Shree Somashrekarappa M (Academic Advisor)
- Shree Kalliveerappa K (Academic Advisor)
- Shree Abhijeet Chaudhari (Trustee ,Saare Tare Zameen Trust)
Rationale:
India’s rural students often lack access to modern scientific tools and exposure to inspiring role models. The Science & Space Exploration Program was designed to bridge this disparity by bringing immersive and practical STEM education directly to students in Kokkaragolla and neighbouring villages in Davangere, Karnataka. With a mission to enhance rural education through experiential STEM exposure, this year’s program extended its reach with a suite of impactful interventions—Mini STEM Labs, educational tools, mobile planetarium shows, and expert engagement. These initiatives aim to nurture curiosity, make science accessible, and unlock the hidden potential of rural learners.
Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4):
This initiative is a grassroots realization of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education for all. It does so by:
- Equipping rural schools with modern science infrastructure.
- Providing hands-on learning aligned with the school curriculum.
- Creating inclusive, inquiry-driven learning experiences.
- Connecting students to real-world science through expert interaction.
- Bridges the urban-rural digital and scientific divide. Through Mini STEM Labs, Telescopes, Planetarium Shows, and Guest Talks, the program removes barriers to STEM education and transforms traditional rote learning into experiential, joyful discovery.
Program Components: Gifted Mini STEM kits and lab setup at Patel Veerappa School
Introduction:
Recognizing the need for contextual and hands-on education, a gradespecific Mini STEM Lab was established at Patel Veerappa School.
Rationale:
Traditional science education in rural schools is often limited to textbooks, leading to disengaged learning. The Mini STEM Lab transforms learning by enabling interactive, real-time exploration of science concepts.
SDG4 Alignment:
- Promotes inclusive, hands-on education in rural schools.
- Directly supports quality education by offering access to tools missing in traditional classrooms.
Lab Contents:
- Grade-specific working models
- STEM kits tailored to the curriculum of each grade, including tools for experiments in physics, chemistry, biology, and basic electronics.
- Materials like motors, sensors, circuits, magnets, simple robots, and model-building kits.
- Posters and charts are aligned with the Karnataka state syllabus
Educational Integration:
- All models map directly to topics from the state board science and math curriculum.
- Teachers are trained to incorporate tools during classroom sessions.
Innovation in Education:
- First-of-its-kind lab in the region providing hands-on STEM access.
- Empowers teachers with tools to simplify complex concepts.
Objectives:
- Make abstract science and math concepts visible and engaging.
- Enable teachers to demonstrate real-world applications.
- Spark creativity, exploration, and deeper understanding.
Impact:
- Boosted classroom engagement and comprehension.
- Enabled teachers to conduct activity-based science periods
- Students began asking “why” and “how” more frequently—signs of critical thinking.
- Helped bridge the gap between textbook learning and real-world applications.
- Encouraged higher participation in science periods, especially among girls.
Educational Aids: Gifted Telescope 4’’ 900 mm:
Introduction:
Science becomes real when students can explore with their own hands. This year, the program distributed:
Gifted Telescope 4’’900mm: Astronomy stimulates imagination and fosters deep scientific inquiry. A telescope was introduced to allow students to experience space first-hand.
Rationale:
Providing scientific instrumentation and teacher training, the program makes STEM & Astronomy more accessible and engaging for rural learners.
SDG4 Alignment:
By providing scientific instrumentation and teacher training, the program
makes STEM & Astronomy more accessible and engaging for rural learners.
Telescope Specifications:
- Gifted Telescope 4’’ 900mm
- Designed for student-friendly operation with high clarity optics.
Training Sessions:
Teachers were trained to set up, maintain, and use the telescope effectively. Night sky observation sessions were also conducted.
Objectives:
- Enable direct sky observation and celestial learning.
- Build curiosity about space and planetary sciences.
- Introduce observational techniques in astronomy.
- Encourage the use of tools typically missing in rural schools.
Impact:
- Students observed the moon, planets, and constellations.
- Created excitement and discussion about astronomy in school.
- Sparked interest in astrophysics and ISRO missions.
Outcomes:
The telescope brought awe to the school yard: children observed the Moon and planets, leading to astronomy clubs forming informally.
Gifted Human Anatomy Model
Introduction:
A life-size human anatomy model was gifted to the school to enhance
biology lessons by allowing tangible exploration of human physiology.
Rationale:
Understanding human biology through diagrams can be limiting. Physical models help students visualize internal systems and their functions.
SDG4 Alignment:
The model brings advanced educational resources to rural schools, improving the depth and quality of life sciences education.
Model Features:
- Removable organs and labelled human systems.
- Used for demonstration in grades 6–10 biology classes.
Objectives:
- Reinforce textbook learning with visual references.
- Make learning anatomy interactive and accessible.
- Support teachers with strong visual teaching, too.
Impact:
The model improved students’ grasp of human anatomy, leading to better concept clarity and classroom participation. It brought a much-needed visual aid to biology classes, making learning more interactive and effective.
Mobile Planetarium Shows
Introduction:
A portable digital dome was used to bring the cosmos directly to the school, delivering immersive space experiences to the students.
Rationale:
Astronomy often remains inaccessible to rural children. The Mobile Planetarium is a fully immersive, state-of-the-art dome brought directly to villages.
SDG4 Alignment:
Mobile Planetarium enhances learning quality by using immersive technology and increases science exposure regardless of location.
- These rural schools rarely, if ever, have access to high-tech educational
tools. - State-of-the-Art mobile planetarium makes astronomy education
accessible to rural students at their doorsteps. The mobile planetarium can transform a basic school hall into a dome-like theatre, offering a
360-degree immersive space experience. - Improves educational quality by introducing immersive pedagogy.
Mobile Planetarium Setup:
- Inflatable, transportable dome with 360° projection.
- High-resolution visuals aligned with the school curriculum.
Objectives:
- Deliver captivating 360-degree space journeys.
- Make astronomy learning memorable and immersive.
- Teach astronomy and science in alignment with curriculum.
- Inspire students to see themselves as future space scientists.
Features:
- Shows constellations, black holes, the solar system, and Indian space missions.
- Narratives designed for different age groups.
- Hands-on Q&A sessions post-show.
Impact:
Students experienced “first-time wonder” by virtually traveling to space.
- Teachers reported increased interest in space-related topics
- Memorable Experiences: The planetarium shows create lasting impressions, contributing to a positive and lasting impact on participants.
- Beyond Traditional Learning: The utilization of mobile planetarium shows represents Saare Tare Zameen Par Trust’s commitment to innovative and unconventional educational methods.
Outcomes:
The Mobile Planetarium Shows have successfully brought the wonders of the universe directly to the participants, creating an environment of awe and inspiration. By merging education with entertainment, this component of the program has contributed significantly to the overall success of the ‘Science & Space Exploration’ initiative.
Program Execution:
The program took place in Kokkaragolla and nearby villages in Davangere, Karnataka, with Patel Veerappa School serving as the central hub. Over the
course of two days, students engaged in a variety of STEM and space-related activities that were both educational and inspiring. The establishment of STEM labs, the introduction of scientific models, and the use of a digital planetarium created opportunities for meaningful engagement. Many students, who were experiencing such resources for the first time, participated with great enthusiasm. Teachers also benefited from hands-on exposure to tools and techniques that enhanced their teaching skills. This collaborative environment encouraged active learning and peer discussions, leading to a shift in the perception that science is accessible, fun, and relevant.
| First Day | |
|---|---|
|
School Name |
NUMBER OF STUDENTS |
|
Mothu veerappa school , Kakkaroglla |
250 |
| Second Day | |
|---|---|
|
School Name |
NUMBER OF STUDENTS |
|
Mothu veerappa school , Kakkaroglla |
150 |
|
GHPS Kakkaragolla |
120
|
Overall Outcomes & Transformative Impact:
- Knowledge & Comprehension: Students showed improved understanding of key scientific concepts through visual and practical exposure.
- Learning Experience: Immersive tools like the planetarium and STEM labs made learning more engaging and enjoyable.
- Equity in Access: Rural students gained access to tools and experiences typically available only in urban settings.
- Skill Development: Teachers and students learned telescope operation, model usage, and anatomy reference techniques, promoting self-sustained learning.
- Teacher Empowerment: Teachers received training and support, enabling them to adopt hands-on teaching methodologies.
- Inspiration & Aspirations: Interactions with an ISRO scientist and exposure to telescopes ignited dreams of future careers in science and space.
- Student Engagement: Participation increased across grades, and students began initiating science clubs and peer learning groups.
- Community Engagement: The initiative drew attention from local educators, advisors, and leaders, laying the foundation for future science outreach programs.
Acknowledgment:
We Saare Tare Zameen Par Trust, sincerely thank Magodh Laser Pvt Ltd for their support and trust. Your contribution made this impactful program possible and meaningful for hundreds of rural children.
Future Plans:
Saare Tare Zameen Par Trust is committed to scaling this initiative across more schools, reaching more underserved schools with quality STEM and space science education.
