Perfect amalgamation of entrepreneurial, problem solving and innovation mindset
The Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell under the directive of National Educational
Policy 2020 (NEP) is now working towards ensuring that the educational outlook of the
country is restructured and redesigned to give more emphasis on the development of the
innovation and creative potential within each student. Central board of Secondary
Education(CBSE) along with Ministry of Education Cell has developed guidelines for schools
for promotion of innovation and entrepreneurial skills in students titled National Innovation
and Entrepreneurship Promotion Policy (NIEPP). The goal being to hone students’ skills
through a holistic approach to be future ready.
Towards this, S.T.E.M-based education has become the need of the hour. This learning
pedagogy is focused on pure learning through experience. STEM fits perfectly with the goals set by the NEP of developing creative innovation, problem solving, team work, strategic thinking, entrepreneurial skills, and more. As such, educational institutions are now seeking help to set up specialised STEM labs that are attuned with the new focus on innovation-based learning over test taking.
“This makes the role of learning tool providers most significant; who are working and
innovating in sync with NEP 2020 ambitions. They are greatly buttressing and supporting the seamless integration of innovative learning into mainstream schooling,” shares Deepti
Sharma, Director, ThinkerPlace, a start-up providing aid to learning through S.T.E.M-based
DIY kits and labs.
Educational institutions and learning providers are now mandated to restructure
themselves in a manner that it will be made ‘more responsive and relevant to the
developmental needs and interests of learners at different stages of growth.’ Therefore,
their curriculam will be guided by a 5+3+3+4 design, comprising a Foundational,
preparatory, middle and a secondary stage. This new mandate also encourages a boost in
teacher morale and collaborations with partner school and MSMEs.
“We are in an age where children absorb knowledge differently. It is no more book learning
that stimulates their creative minds. At ThinkerPlace, our goal is to enhance the concept of
learning beyond book. Giving more weightage to creativity and innovation through different
sources. Keeping the Pillars of Ideation, Innovation, Entrepreneurship (IIE) as the
benchmark, we use age-appropriate educational DIY STEM kits to assist kids to learn various concepts and implement them in real life. Following the launch of the NEP 2020 mandate, ThinkerPlace has assisted in setting up Labs at School at various institutions across the nation. We firmly believe that innovation is the core of education in the 21 st century” shares Deepti Sharma.
