STEM-based edtech companies are building a tech savvy, innovative nation. ThinkerPlace, a new-age visionary company that provides Education DIY Toys that are based on the S.T.E.M methodology and principles of teaching for children of age group 3 to 12 years is radically changing the way we live our lives. CXOToday in conversation with Deepti Sharma- Director Thinkerplace.
- How does collaboration help to upscale the S.T.E.M Industry?
STEM Learning as a whole is a collaborative effort. Children start learning difficult concepts of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics when they start implementing these concepts in real-life and they learn it faster when they implement it together. As a team when children start working on these STEM concepts, they understand it and it also instills a zeal of doing bigger and better with a lot of competition surrounding them.
- How is the definition of Informal S.T.E.M learning changing?
STEM Learning is not limited to classrooms anymore. The National Education Policy 2020 revised terms state that setting up STEM facilities in schools and educational institutes is a necessity to transform the education system that focuses on practical and career-based skills. Many schools are equipping themselves with high-tech STEM labs that impart STEM learning in a fun way. Gone are the days when children used to learn only through books. Now, slowly a lot of schools have started focusing on practical learning and real-life experiments. The percentage is low but it is a great start. With this approach, children won’t fear science and mathematics instead they will start loving it. Informal STEM learning is the right step towards holistic learning that opens a wide window of career opportunities for children.
- The Implementation of Integrated S.T.E.M learning has increased the performance of students. Justify the statement.
Researchers and scientists say that visual information can be processed 60,000 times faster than text and humans remember only 20% of what they read. Hence, integrating practical STEM learning with theoretical concepts will not only enhance the cognitive skills, logical skills, and IQ of children but they will also learn to deal with day-to-day problems and bring out effective solutions for the same.
- How does your company strategies the S.T.E.M education to make it effective?
ThinkerPlace aims to make STEM learning fun by encouraging children to learn to make their STEM Toys that simplify challenging STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) concepts through their fun DIY Toys. We aim to unlock the hidden potential of children and boost their creativity and imagination with our DIY Toys. All our toys are fun to make, easy to assemble, and train children in STEM concepts right from the preschool level.
- How AI helps in improving S.T.E.M Education and impact the economy?
AI has made our lives easier and better. It is also a big part of STEM Learning as well. It automates different learning concepts and enhances the overall learning experience of children. AI does the small tasks of educators like checking assessments, data mining, etc while they can focus on teaching children. With the advancing AI technology, educators will be able to focus on training their kids and they will not have to worry about grading assessments. This will give them more time to plan out lessons and host fun activities and quizzes for children through which they will learn and enjoy.
- What has been the biggest challenge in the industry?
The biggest challenge in the STEM industry is awareness. As India is largely rural, a great percentage of the population is not aware of STEM learning and its importance. STEM Learning is very popular in the urban parts of the country but it has yet a long way to put its foot forward in rural areas.
- How do you make your product market fit?
STEM DIY Toys for children are crucial in their lives. Parents who are not aware of STEM Learning must know that it is a great career prospect for children and it enhances their minds. Through our unique STEM DIY Toys, children will now be able to think, create and implement difficult STEM concepts by implementing it in real-life. When children start learning to make their toys, they understand the scientific concepts behind them. So, instead of giving them readymade toys for play, why not switch to toys that impart learning and fun both?
