This upcoming week, we are launching our first STEAM club consulting project at CN Vidyavihar under the Vidyavishesh initiative, a center dedicated to fostering holistic development through STEAM education, literary activities, and more. Vidyavishesh aims to make education relevant to today's cutting-edge needs, aligning perfectly with the innovative spirit of Beyond Box. Being deeply involved with a school that is a lush green oxygen source spread in 70 acres, and where I studied since preschool, makes my connection to it truly special.
When I initially presented the Beyond Box workshop proposal to my school principal, I was invited to contribute to establishing this center. My task was to design an engaging program that would introduce students to the center and ignite their interest in STEAM.
Vidyavishesh is centrally located on campus, housed in an independent building with ample space, including two dedicated rooms for science and math, a courtyard shaded by a beautiful tree, and additional rooms for various activities. Inspired by this setting, I developed the “Techville City Challenge,” designed to engage nearly 1,000 students from grades 6-8, across both English and Gujarati mediums of instruction.
The "Techville City Challenge" is structured around four interactive stations, each focusing on different STEAM aspects:
1. Unlock the Challenge
Students solve math puzzles and use block coding to enter the challenge
2. Design a Rescue Glider
Students design and test gliders to deliver supplies to Techville, learning basic principles of aerodynamics.
3. Water Purification System
Students create a filtration system using layers of natural materials to purify contaminated water in Techville.
4. Powering Up the City with Fruits and Vegetables
Students explore whether fruits and vegetables can power an LED, learn about voltage, and experiment with series and parallel circuits to understand how electrical energy works.
Each station was designed to be student-led, with mentors offering guidance while encouraging students to explore and solve problems independently. The challenge took place in a fictional "Techville City," enhanced with vibrant posters and engaging exhibits to create an immersive learning environment. We emphasized the need to move away from traditional fragmented teaching methods, which often feel disconnected from real life. Initially, mentors were inclined to present concepts in a fragmented manner, as they would in their regular classes, without making the content engaging or relevant.
Through guided rehearsal sessions, we encouraged mentors to shift from an authoritative teaching style to one that promotes student-led discovery. Instead of prescriptive statements like, “You have to connect circuits,” mentors were guided to use the story context “Tachville is in trouble and has no power, let’s light a bulb”, also phrases like, “I don’t know, let’s figure it out,”to answer few of the students’ questions, fostering a more engaging environment. Though challenging at first, this approach began to resonate with students, leading to more meaningful learning experiences. To ensure the program's success and replicability, we provided mentors with a comprehensive guide, outlining session structures, materials, and strategies to bring Techville City to life effectively.
Additionally, we plan to hold a Parental Awareness Session to showcase the value of STEAM education through a video clip of students participating in the Techville City Challenge. This session will highlight how STEAM skills are crucial for future success and how the Vidyavishesh Center is committed to fostering these skills.
Beyond Box has also proposed a Diwali vacation program, which we plan to announce during the Parental Awareness Session. This program will further emphasize the importance of STEAM for children and encourage continued involvement with the center.
Looking ahead, we are excited about the six-month interdisciplinary program we plan to run at Vidyavishesh, which will transcend traditional study areas. This initiative aligns with our philosophy at Beyond Box—removing the boundaries of conventional thinking and fostering a love for exploration and innovation. We are thrilled to see the impact of Beyond Box extending beyond our workshops and mentors, and we look forward to contributing to the rich legacy of CN Vidyavihar.
Aesha Bhansali
Comments