Girls in STEM program

Promoting STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to marginalized girls aged 10 - 14 years of age, through hands-on teaching methods and fun alternative tools. This way of learning not only promotes new STEM skills but also breaks their internalized gender beliefs regarding STEM learning and STEM careers for women.

What is the Jugaad Lab?

Our Jugaad Lab is a space where girls come to explore the world of electronics and everyday science by working with tools, assembling circuits, doing science experiments, making or breaking stuff to understand what makes it tick and above all, by making mistakes fearlessly.

Who comes to the Lab?

We have enrolled 44 girls between ages 10 to 15 from seven communities across South Delhi. 23 attend the Jugaad Lab Level 1 group where basic understanding and curiosity on STEM subjects is kindled through hands-on projects. 11 girls have completed Level 1 and 10 have moved to Level 2 where they learn higher tech skills like coding, making electronic projects, hacking solutions for problems they see around them while collaborating with kids across countries and with other technology enthusiasts who come to share their skills.

What the Lab does?

We try to make knowledge about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects accessible and attractive for the girls by using fun, alternative tools and models. By using tools and building things, the girls get a confidence in their ability and a sense of satisfaction.

Why the Lab?

We ran a study in five government schools and one private school followed by workshops to answer - What were the reasons for girls from an underprivileged background not choosing STEM courses, especially Science and Maths ? The key findings were,

Girls are unable to develop an interest or aptitude for STEM owing to

parental pressure to drop out of education or pursue arts, home science and other “feminine” streams,

lack of infrastructural support in schools,

lack of role models in STEM fields and

discouragement from teachers.

The study also revealed that pressure of household chores and restrictions on mobility was not allowing girls to explore their potential. Home and school work hand-in-hand and increase a girl’s fear for subjects like science and maths. This leads her to believe that these are subjects meant only for boys to study and excel in.

Where are we today?

The Jugaad Lab runs as a safe, educative space to create the change we want to see in our community and society. In spite of challenges of funds, girls dropping out, non-acceptance by community members as our girls were becoming confident, mobile and independent, we have been striving ahead. After 2 years of hard work, it is going so well that six of the girls have stopped taking private tuition classes after school because they feel their understanding of concepts has improved due to the Jugaad Lab. The Jugaad Lab is so popular in the community that parents, who were earlier skeptical, now take immense pride on their daughters achievements and take interest in everything that the girls learn.

How you can help

We welcome volunteers to bring in new ideas of STEM projects. Anyone who is willing to work with the girls on a hands-on STEM project is welcome.

Donations of working technology items like phones, computers, tool sets, will also help.