NEW DELHI, India, Nov 5, 2024 – Siemens Stiftung (foundation), Siemens Limited (India), and Pratham Education Foundation launched the “STEM Education for Innovation: Experimento India” project in New Delhi. The project will enhance the learning experiences of students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects by offering Open Educational Resources (OER) in line with the recommendations of India’s National Curriculum Framework.
Experimento India reaches out to students from low-income communities, bridging the digital learning divide by providing internationally recognized education resources. The OER is integrated into Siemens Limited’s Project Jigyaasa (curiosity) which is active in over 170 government schools and will be accessible to all school students. The learning materials are completely free and leverage educational equity by improving the learning outcomes of students across India. The project launch coincides with the Indian German Government Consultations at the Asia Pacific Conference in New Delhi and underlines the shared goal of a sustainable future and social inclusion.
Dr. Nina Smidt, CEO and Spokesperson of the Board, Siemens Stiftung says: “Having worked in Africa, Europe and Latin America for over 15 years, we have experienced that students learn best from resources that are rooted in their contexts. The digital learning materials are adapted from our internationally acclaimed education program Experimento to the needs and requirements of Indian students. The resources are co-created with Indian academic experts, teachers and families and offered to students in their mother tongues. Thereby, breaking language barriers to learning science and technology.”
Sunil Mathur, Chief Executive Officer, Siemens Limited says, “India’s young population requires extensive skilling to harness its full potential. Siemens Limited’s strategy for the focus area of education is based on a lifecycle approach and aligned to the Skill India mission of the Government.”
The OER offer a diverse range of multimedia materials including video activities for project-based learning, lesson plans for educators, student worksheets, quizzes and question banks. Its integration with project Jigyaasa, will further enhance the learning outcomes in STEM subjects. Pratham Education Foundation is the project implementation partner.
Dr. Madhav Chavan, Co-Founder of Pratham Education Foundation says: “We need to equip our students for learning beyond textbooks to apply the knowledge in life and at work. Through our collaboration, we hope to drive a broader policy push to bring hands-on learning into classrooms and emphasize the importance of STEM education – not just as a theoretical concept, but as a practical and impactful experience in schools and communities.”
Experimento India builds on the mandate outlined by the Indian National Education Policy 2020, by encouraging students to embrace more holistic ways of learning. Introducing students to a hands-on approach to explore real-life issues through inquiry-based learning and experimentation. With a focus on enhancing students’ 21st-century skills, the project aims to build competencies crucial to addressing global challenges like glocalization, digitization, and climate change.
Dr. Nina Smidt presented the Experimento India project at the panel discussion, “The Future of Work in the Digital Era: Indo-German Initiatives in Skills Development and Education” at the Indian Institute of Technology. She showcased the synergy with the Indo-German Initiative for Technical Education
(IGnITE) program, a cooperation by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India (MSDE) and Siemens India: Promoting
industry-relevant high-quality training and technical education.
The crucial role of STEM knowledge is widely acknowledged and subsequently integrated into curricula across India as it aspires to build a robust space and digital infrastructure. The Experimento India project complements this vision by delivering knowledge and skills in this crucial field with a fresh and creative
approach. It empowers students to thrive in a future characterized by technological advancements.
Watch the video to hear voices that are implementing the project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSPWROUJS2Q.
About Siemens Limited
Siemens Limited is a technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport as well as transmission and generation of electrical power. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to cleaner and more comfortable transportation, the company creates technology with purpose adding real value for customers. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers its customers to transform their industries and markets, to transform the everyday for people. Siemens Limited is the flagship listed company of Siemens AG in India. As of September 30, 2023, Siemens Limited had Revenue from continuing operations of Rs. 17,701 crore and 8,888 employees. For more information, visit https://www.iemens.com/in.
About Pratham Education Foundation
Pratham Education Foundation (Pratham) is one of the largest NGOs in India with a record of innovative, rigorously evaluated programs that have inspired similar programs across three continents. With a history spanning almost 30 years, Pratham’s work today extends from programs for early years to youth skilling and employment. Through programs covering 25 states and Union Territories, in an average year, Pratham usually reaches over 6 million children and youth. This is achieved through a combination of efforts: directly working with children and youth in communities, as well as through collaborations with state and district-level governments. For more information, visit https://www.pratham.org.
About Siemens Stiftung
As a non-profit foundation, Siemens Stiftung is committed to sustainable social development. We focus on three topic areas: Access to Essential Services, Connected Societies, and Climate & Sustainability. Adopting a proactive approach, we shape the transformations required to tackle these challenges. By working with partners from the fields of Education, Social Entrepreneurship, and Arts & Culture, we strengthen collective learning and locally based, sustainable structures. Our projects and networks focus on Africa, Europe, Latin America and India/Asia. For more information, visit https://www.siemens-stiftung.org.
