Samsung Semiconductor India Research (SSIR), one of Samsung Semiconductors’ largest global R&D centres, opened “three Mobile Science Labs, two Science Centres, and two Mini-Innovation Hubs in collaboration with the Bengaluru-based non-profit Agastya International Foundation.” The programme is in line with Samsung’s dedication to supporting STEM education, giving students in rural areas of the nation the opportunity to become catalysts for change and future innovators, and fostering an enthusiasm for science and creativity among students from all backgrounds. Through this partnership, Samsung is committed to empowering young minds, enhancing educational standards, and promoting an innovative and scientific culture across the country.
The three recently launched Mobile Science Labs (MSL) are portable buildings filled with science experiments and models that move to underfunded schools in outlying regions. Each MSL provides students from Class V through Class IX with more than 100 hands-on science models that span a wide range of topics in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Exploring, experimenting, and experiencing scientific concepts allows students to learn by doing.
On the other side, the two science centres have more than 150 models and experiments in chemistry, physics, biology, ecology, and astronomy. They will act as a resource centre that welcomes teachers and students from government schools to engage with these displays and take part in various activities. Both MSL and the Science Center will serve as a venue for teacher training, Young Instructor (YI) programs, summer camps, community visits and science fairs.
“With the mobile labs and science centers, our endeavour is to spark curiosity and propagate a creative temper in children and teachers through hands-on science education and teacher trainings. Our intent is to usher in a transformative impact on local rural Govt. schools and shape a future where curiosity thrives, and helps to elevate the caliber and quality of education”, Commenting on the initiative, Balajee Sowrirajan, CVP and MD – Samsung Semiconductor India Research (SSIR), said.
The Mobile Science Lab and Science Centre programme intends to deliver STEM education utilising a hands-on, interactive learning method that integrates real-world experience with academic knowledge. In addition to two Science Centres in Hebbal (Bengaluru) and Hunsur (Mysore), this programme will also build three Mobile Science Centres in Haveri, Mysore/Hunsur, and Mangalore. Additionally, two Mini-Innovation Hubs will be established in Hunsur (Mysore) and Hebbal (Bengaluru). These facilities will jointly assist more than 68 additional government schools, which annually serve 8,000 different children from tribal, rural, and urban locations. More than 30,000 students will have the chance to participate in experiential learning each year thanks to this initiative.
In the past, as part of Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC), SSIR also collaborated with the Government of Karnataka to improve technological skills in the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for over a thousand students and teachers in 37 polytechnic colleges throughout Karnataka with adequate facilities, necessary kits, and equipment’s along with IoT and AI-based training for students in accordance with the SIC module.
