Teacher from Kozhikode takes part in Great Challenge Fund Program in London

Biology teacher Shajil U.K. represented India at STEM Great Challenge Fund Program in London, enhancing STEM education practices.

Shajil U.K., a biology teacher at the Government Higher Secondary School, Balussery, represented India at the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Great Challenge Fund Program held at the London Science Museum, the United Kingdom, from March 3 to 7, 2025. Mr. Shajil, also a research scholar at the National Institute of Technology - Calicut (NIT-C), was the only Keralite among the 10 handpicked educators from different parts of the country who participated in the event aimed at cultivating scientific temperament among students.

“A study conducted in the U.K. a few years ago found that very few school and college students were aware of basic scientific facts or had curiosity about them. The country soon adopted corrective measures and recently decided to extend them to other countries. Thus, a team from India was also invited to be part of the programme,” Mr. Shajil said.

The programme, designed to enhance STEM education through experiential learning and interactive engagement, provided Mr. Shajil with exposure to advanced teaching methodologies, inquiry-based learning models, and museum-driven STEM engagement strategies.

He interacted with international STEM educators, researchers, and museum professionals, exchanging ideas on collaborative opportunities between Indian and British educational institutions. He also gained firsthand experience of how museums use interactive, inclusive, and dynamic science engagement strategies to enhance learning beyond conventional classroom settings.

Mr. Shajil aims to implement the best practices he observed through training programmes jointly organised by the Regional Science Centre and Planetarium, Kozhikode, the Centre for Holistic Teaching and Learning, the NIT-C, and the District Institute of Education and Training, Kozhikode. He intends to bridge connections between the London Science Museum and Indian educators, fostering cross-cultural educational exchanges.