Anubhav- Experiential Stem Learning

On 25th November 2022, VE conducted an Anubhav- Experiential STEM Learning session with the students from Higher School for the Blind, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu. 45 students with visual impairments from grades 1-8 actively participated in the day-long Anubhav workshop which was divided into two parts- Maths & Science.

The Maths learning was conducted from 9:45 am to 3:00 pm while the Science learning was from 3:00 pm to 4:45 pm. The students were assembled in the auditorium where VE Coordinators Rishi Vadhana and Yuvraj P.K. conducted an interactive icebreaker, Simon Says, with the children. Post this the children were taken to the playground to do the next few activities where they were taught motor & direction skills covering the concepts of positional words, objects that roll/slide, properties of curved/flat surfaces and understanding points, lines, line segments, rays, etc.

Post the lunch break the students were given hands-on training on using Geometry kits grade-wise. The students learnt to create & understand patterns, shapes and angles using the stylus and the other geometry kit tools.

The science session aimed to teach the students the concept of water. Through numerous practical activities using various materials like mango juice, salt, sand, spoon, stones etc. students learnt the properties of water. The water cycle was also explained through an interactive skit.

In one of the activities, two big tubs of water were kept on the table. Wooden scales, steel spoons, plastic balls, stones, and plastic tumblers were also kept beside the tubs. Each student was asked to drop one of these things in the tub and observe which material sinks and which one floats.

The children enjoyed the sessions, actively interacted and asked questions during the workshop. The 15 teachers from the Higher School for the Blind supported the VE Team in conducting all the activities.