STEM Sessions: Strengthening Scientific Curiosity Through Hands-On Learning

Overall Participation

During the month, STEM sessions were conducted across multiple government schools, engaging a total of 416 students through interactive science learning activities designed to enhance conceptual understanding and spark curiosity. The sessions focused on three key topics from the science curriculum: Diversity in the Living World, Tissues, and Invisible Living World Beyond Our Naked Eyes.

Diversity in the Living World

Dates & Schools:

• 3rd Nov – GMS T.N. Palayam
• 4th Nov – CGHS Abishegapakkam
• 5th Nov – Calve College
  Class: VI

The session began with an introduction to the rich diversity of plants and animals, helping students recognize the many different kinds of living organisms around them. Using real plant specimens, students learned to differentiate herbs, shrubs, and trees based on stem structure. They observed and compared leaf venation patterns—reticulate and parallel—and understood their relevance in identifying monocot and dicot plants.

The session then transitioned to animal diversity, where students explored different habitats and compared terrestrial and aquatic animals. They discussed how animals adapt to their environments and the ways in which these adaptations influence their movement and survival. The hands-on nature of the session kept students engaged and encouraged close observation of the natural world.

Tissues

Dates & Schools:

• 6th Nov – TPGGHSS Ariyankuppam
• 25th Nov – CGHS Abishegapakkam
• 26th Nov – Calve College
  Class: IX

The session introduced students to the concept of cells and how they form tissues, organs, and organ systems. Students explored plant tissues in depth, observing parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma, and learning how their structures relate to their functions.

• Parenchyma – thin walls, large vacuoles
• Collenchyma – unevenly thickened walls offering flexibility and support
• Sclerenchyma – thick, lignified walls providing strength

A matching-card activity helped students differentiate between simple and complex permanent tissues, reinforcing learning through play-based methods. The session concluded with a PowerPoint presentation on animal tissues, covering epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous tissues. Students gained a comprehensive understanding of how tissues work together to support life processes.

Invisible Living World Beyond Our Naked Eyes

Date & School:

• 14th Nov – SNGHS Pondicherry
  Class: IX

This session introduced students to the world of microorganisms—organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye. Students explored examples of beneficial and harmful microbes, their roles in daily life, and how they contribute to fields like food production, health, and environmental processes. The session helped students appreciate the unseen biological world that influences many aspects of life.

Student Feedback

• Students enjoyed the hands-on and interactive activities.
• They felt the sessions made complex science concepts easier to understand.
• Many expressed that learning through real specimens and activities helped deepen their interest in science.

Teacher Feedback

• Teachers found the STEM sessions effective in reinforcing classroom learning.
• They appreciated the interactive teaching methods that promoted student participation.
• They reported improved conceptual clarity among students following the sessions.