Around 400 girls from several high schools in the district got hands-on science and technology lessons at the two-day STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) workshop hosted by the Regional Science Centre (RSC).
Women resource persons from various research institutions steered the sessions where the participants were given an opportunity to carry out live DNA extraction, polymer putty making and LED circuit designing. For the majority, it was their maiden experience of handling such procedures using lab facilities. The event concluded at the RSC auditorium on Friday.
“We actually customized the national-level STEM programme for the students here to give them maximum space for real hands-on lessons. In Kerala, we have bright students, but what they lack are practical sessions,” said Gilroy Correia, a coordinator of the event.
He said the workshop, hosted with the support of the Regional Science Centres in New Delhi, Kozhikode, Noida, Gujarat, Nagpur and Goa would be able to cover about 4,500 girl students in the first phase and ignite their passion for science.
‘Boosting confidence’
Pallavi Deshmukh, a chemist and one of the woman resource persons, said the sessions were found to have magical results in boosting the students’ confidence to pursue higher studies in the field. Some of the students who attended the workshop said they would urge their school authorities to develop existing lab facilities.
“This was my first experience of seeing and participating in a live DNA extraction process,” said Ayisha Risana, a student of BEM Higher Secondary School. Her companions Dilsha Fathima and Niveditha Justin said the sessions inspired them to pursue higher studies in science and technology.
The project coordinators said the sessions titled ‘STEM4Girls’ was part of supporting the government’s ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ initiative. The workshop was held in partnership with Covestro, a leading manufacturer of polymer materials for key industries.