STEMland inauguration

-Arun, Saranya

STEMland was offered a new space in Udavi. All of us  were busyin setting up Stemland for a couple of weeks.Especially, Saranya who took the lead for setting up the place . Now we have a bigger space and  have a separate room for electronics.

A lot of thought was put into how the space should be organized and some construction and repair was needed. This was handled by professionals and organizing the space was up to us. Saranya made a 3D model of the space and were materials should come. Everything was planned before the move, we needed no after thoughts.

2D view of STEMland
3D view of STEMland

It was exciting for all of us including the children as they were going to use the space. Children were busy making projects to present  for the inauguration. They were making projects in scratch, electronics, geogebra, mindstorms, etc.

Participation of the children of Isaiambalam :

Children of Isaiamabalam were asked to participate in the event. They were given separate stalls to demonstrate their projects. Most of their projects were based on science and physics.

Preparation for the event:
Children and STEMland teachers decorated the place. Balloons were tied up and colourful Kolams were drawn by the elder children.  A symbol of The Mother that was decorated with flowers added beauty to the event.

Mother symbol decorated with flowers
Making kolam

During the event:

Teachers of Stemland each shared an aspect of stemland which was followed by lighting up of candles (Kuthu vilaku).

Pratap giving opening speech
Sundar giving his speech
Anitha lighting up the candle. Aruljothi (Tamil teacher of Udavi), Shankar (Principal of Aikiyam) and Davaselvy (Principal of Udavi) in the background
Anupama adding more light
Shalini sharing her experience in STEMland
Pavithra sharing her experience in STEMland

Two children from 10th grade Udavi also shared their experiences in STEMland.

Projects demo:

Children had different stalls set up with theirbprojects. Teachers from Auroville and outreach schools, youths, children of Aikiyam school and many more guests were invited to interact with children.

Children were excited to show their projects. A child demonstrated how different frequencies can be heard by us. Games and puzzles were also displayed by the younger children. Naveen had a project on spray painting and children explained the physics behind it.

Aikiyam children trying out cast puzzle
Exploring..
An Aikiyam teacher playing Abacon with 7th grade children
Printing using 3D printer
Spray painting demo
Making art using spray paint
Art of two hands
Asia map presented by 7th grade children Isaiamabalam

 

Model of a plant cell
Magic jug: pressure model
Mindstorm
Dinosor mindstorm
Voting questions
Electronic voting machine
Children of Udavi and Aikiyam playing games
Shankar (White shirt) principal of Aikiyam viewing projects
Tamil game set up by Isaiambalam children
Hearing different frequencies
Children enjoying snack (Samosa)