Interactive Learning – The way forward towards a bright future

In today’s era, where technology is dominating almost everything globally, it is very important that children take interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). These subjects have a huge potential for employability in the future and are termed as skills of the 21st century. Inculcating interest in these subjects at an early age can help students, who otherwise neglect these subjects, have a bright career.

To teach STEM in a personalised and interactive way, an initiative was taken up by CARE India’s Community Resource center in Ponneri, Tamil Nadu with support from Amazon. Robotics, an organisation based in Chennai partnered with CARE India towards providing this training to school children in four government schools in Pudhuvoyal, Madhavaram, Keelmeni, and Vadakanallur. The students will be taught these subjects through robotics and coding techniques. Around 300 students will be benefited by the initiative.

To inaugurate this initiative a programme was held at the Panchayat Union Middle School, Pudhuvoyal, Ponneri Taluk, Thiruvallur District on 26th June 2018. The event started with a welcome address by Mr. Sivakumar, Head Master, Panchayat Union Middle School, Pudhuvoyal. Ms. Iswarya, Senior Trainer, Robotics, spoke about the Robotics initiative. Mr. Nijil George, Site Manager, Amazon Fulfillment Center, Ponneri spoke about the various initiatives by Amazon towards supporting the community in the five target villages- Keelmeni, Madhavaram, S.Panapakkam, Durainallur, and Pudhuvoyal. He said that Robotics training is first of its kind implemented by Amazon and asked the children to fully utilise this opportunity to improve their STEM skills. Mr. Maria Joseph, HR Manager, Amazon spoke about the various educational support given to school children in our target villages. He motivated the students to make full use of the opportunity so that it can improve their creative, lateral and logical thinking.

A special address was given by the Chief Guest Mr. Ilamparithi, District Educational Officer, Ponneri. He thanked Amazon, CARE India and Robotics for providing this opportunity to Government school children. He said, “Instead of giving a hungry man a fish, teaching him to fish will be more useful. Likewise, this training will be useful for school children to practically learn the applications of science and technology.”

Mr.Anand and Mr. Kaliappan from Robotics presented briefly on what the curriculum entails. They said Robotics will be the need of 21st century and it is better that children of today get to know about it early in life. As a part of the event, school bags with a lunch box, water bottle geometry box, and dictionary, sponsored by Amazon was distributed among all school children. Children and teachers in the school were very happy and appreciated the initiative taken by Amazon and CARE India team.