Abhay Bhutada Foundation Supporting Curiosity and Innovation in Classrooms

Current State of STEM Education in India

STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, is more than just a set of subjects. It represents the skills that drive progress in the modern world. For India, where only about 30% of students pursue STEM courses, building strong engagement in these fields has become a pressing priority. This is particularly significant as the country moves toward 2030, when it is expected to have the largest workforce globally. To ensure this opportunity does not go untapped, initiatives that encourage children to explore science and technology in a hands-on way are essential. The Abhay Bhutada Foundation has taken a forward-looking approach by supporting programs like LearnByDoing, which bring STEM kits to underprivileged schools.

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The Need for Practical STEM Education

STEM skills are in high demand worldwide. From renewable energy and space exploration to healthcare and artificial intelligence, every industry relies on professionals trained in these areas. For India, strengthening STEM education is not only about individual opportunities but also about sustaining national growth. Without creating interest and capability among children today, the country risks underutilizing its demographic advantage tomorrow. Abhay Bhutada believes that investing in education now is critical to preparing India’s youth for the future.

Obstacles in Current Learning Environments

India’s education system has strengths, but it also faces challenges that prevent students from developing confidence in STEM. Many government schools lack proper laboratories, resources, and teaching aids. Textbook-heavy teaching methods often discourage curiosity, while students in rural areas rarely get the chance to experiment with practical tools. Parents from disadvantaged backgrounds may also have limited awareness of the importance of STEM subjects. These barriers underline the importance of targeted interventions like those initiated by the Abhay Bhutada Foundation.

The LearnByDoing Program

To address these gaps, the foundation partnered with the LearnByDoing initiative by Sakar Eduskills. This program provides STEM kits to students from underprivileged schools, ensuring that they can learn science and mathematics through real experiments instead of just theory. The program is designed to make learning fun and engaging, while also simplifying complex concepts.

Over 2,000 students across eight schools in Pune district. Bursewadi, Kelgaon, Dhanore, Bahul, Thakarwadi, Bhose, Malegaon, and Sangise have already benefitted. For many of these schools, it was the first time students experienced such resources, and the sense of excitement was evident. The support of the Abhay Bhutada Foundation ensured that these schools were included in this initiative.

Direct Impact on Classrooms

The introduction of STEM kits has already shown positive results. Teachers expressed gratitude to the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, noting that the kits helped them explain concepts more clearly and encourage student participation. A staff member from Kelgaon shared that children now understand science in simpler ways, which was previously difficult through textbooks alone.

Students, too, spoke about their experiences. A class 7 student described how the kit helped him understand the human body, while also introducing him to tools such as a microscope and periscope. For the first time, he could see minute elements through the microscope, which sparked excitement and deepened his interest in learning. These stories show how small interventions can transform education.

Why STEM Kits Are Valuable

STEM kits go beyond being just teaching aids. They are instruments of change that make science interactive and accessible. Their benefits include:

• Encouraging problem-solving through hands-on learning

• Boosting creativity by allowing children to build and experiment

• Reducing inequality by offering the same opportunities to underprivileged students

• Building confidence in tackling challenging subjects

Through LearnByDoing, supported by the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, these kits are giving students from disadvantaged backgrounds the same exposure that their peers in well-resourced schools enjoy.

Abhay Bhutada’s Long-Term Vision

Abhay Bhutada has always viewed education as a foundation for empowerment. His approach is not limited to short-term contributions but focuses on creating lasting changes. By supporting STEM-focused programs, he aims to equip students with practical skills that prepare them for future academic and professional challenges. The Abhay Bhutada Foundation’s involvement in LearnByDoing is a clear example of this forward-looking vision.

Benefits Beyond the Classroom

The positive effects of these initiatives extend to families and communities. Parents are encouraged to send their children to school when they see engaging and innovative teaching methods in action. This contributes to lowering dropout rates and increasing trust in government schools. Over time, a generation that grows up with exposure to STEM education will contribute to India’s economy in more meaningful ways.

The program also strengthens self-belief among students from disadvantaged backgrounds. By showing them that science is something they can understand and enjoy, the initiative opens new possibilities that were once out of reach.

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Conclusion

India’s future success will be shaped by how well it prepares its young generation today. With only a small percentage of students currently pursuing STEM, initiatives that bring science and mathematics alive are critical. The LearnByDoing program, supported by the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, has already benefitted thousands of students in the Pune district by making education interactive, accessible, and inspiring.