As a part of its efforts to narrow the gap in education and shape young minds in the Northeastern state of India, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi has extended its hands to Mizoram’s educational institutions at schools and colleges through the IIT-PAL programme. Directed by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, and implemented by IIT Delhi, the project focuses on enhancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education among students in rural locations, especially in the Northeast region.

With an aim to fire students’ scientific interest and enthusiasm from the earliest possible age, IIT Delhi Chemistry professor Prof Ravi P Singh, national coordinator for Chemistry under the IIT-PAL program, embarked on an outreach visit to various schools in Mizoram. His tour schedule comprised visits to Navodaya Vidyalaya at Mamit, PM Shri Navodaya Vidyalaya at Thingsulthliah, PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya at Zemabawk, and Mizoram University. These laboratories conducted a series of science workshops outside the ambit of regular textbook studies, bringing the exciting and dynamic scientific discovery process to the students in the form of personal experience.

Prof Singh and his team conducted hands-on science demonstrations during the workshops with the aim of effectively engaging the students and further solidifying their grip on basic scientific principles. Such interactive classes were also supplemented with in-depth discussions whereby the students would be able to grasp the underlying principles behind the experiments and apply critical thinking in result interpretation. The laid-back but technically rewarding character of the programme encouraged the students not only to learn but also to question, to explore, and to voice their own scientific concepts.

Referring to the initiative’s target, Prof Singh highlighted getting over the mere learning by heart and instead providing space to students where they can gain firsthand experience of science. “The workshops seek to break through routine class room learning by offering learners the experience to learn scientific principles in a practical manner, improve their logical reasoning, and maybe encourage them towards taking up careers in STEM.”. A tough emphasis on STEM profession and its persuasion can make them employ their thoughts for the well-being of society,” he said.

The workshops created a culture of scientific inquiry in which students were encouraged to think innovatively and become problem-solvers. Prof Singh inspired students to challenge the assumptions, build hypotheses, and design their own experiments. He emphasized the significance of such active participation in shaping the future scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. “Newer solutions to world problems are possible only through exploring newer dimensions of science,” he mentioned in his interaction with the students.

The initiative was received very positively. The students were very enthusiastic during the sessions and actively participated in the discussions, sharing their own future aspirations with the group. Local community members and teachers also welcomed the outreach efforts, realizing the value of such initiatives in offering quality learning materials and expert mentoring to students from the area by premier institutes like IIT Delhi.

The IIT-PAL programme, which constitutes the majority of this outreach, is an initiative of the Ministry of Education aimed at helping students of Classes XI and XII prepare for competitive examinations with special focus on those who want admission in the IITs and other best engineering colleges in India. The video lectures are taught by IIT professors and subject matter experts and include the traditional subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. These lectures are designed to build conceptual understanding, offer problem-solving strategies, and facilitate independent learning.

One of the salient features of the IIT-PAL programme is its vast outreach. The video lectures are telecast on the Ministry of Education’s Swayam Prabha Channels and even on Doordarshan DTH Channel 22, and hence students in far-flung areas where internet penetration is poor can also avail themselves of these lectures. Aside from the recorded lectures, the programme also involves live interaction sessions, doubt-clearance facility, and expert opinion — providing a holistic support system for the students.

By Participant

By taking such initiatives to the schools and society in Mizoram itself, IIT Delhi is not only making quality STEM education democratic but also bridging the regional gap in educational opportunities. The initiative has succeeded in sowing the seeds of scientific interest in the minds of the youth and opening doors for rising future scientists and innovators in the Northeast.

In short, IIT-PAL outreach programme of IIT Delhi in Mizoram is the best example of the change desired for in the context of inclusive education. It makes finer learning experience available at far-off places of the nation and gives wider thinking, scientific thinking, and a career that can be utilized most effectively in the national development mission and global progress.