IIT Delhi hosted its fifth annual Manasvi: STEM Mentorship Programme for High School Girls this past summer. The program aimed to encourage girls from Delhi-NCR government schools to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers. One hundred twenty students from classes 9 through 12 participated.
The initiative focused on boosting student confidence and increasing engagement in STEM education and jobs. Participants engaged in interactive sessions, lab visits, and mentorship activities.
Hands-On STEM Learning
The curriculum included practical activities designed to spark interest in science and technology. Students learned about electrical circuits. They assembled solar lamps to gain engineering experience.
Participants also visited IIT Delhi laboratories. They observed experiments in molecular biology and biotechnology. These visits showed how classroom concepts apply to real research and technology.
Mentorship from Experts
Students interacted with IIT Delhi researchers, faculty, and female STEM professionals. Sessions covered emerging topics. These included artificial intelligence, engineering, space science, and healthcare technology.
The program aimed to provide role models. Experts guided students on STEM career paths. They also offered advice on higher education options.
IIT Delhi's Inclusion Efforts
IIT Delhi Director Prof. Rangan Banerjee spoke at the event. He highlighted the importance of encouraging more girls in STEM. He stated that diversity and inclusion are vital for scientific progress.
The Manasvi program is a key IIT Delhi outreach effort. It seeks to empower young women through education and experience. The institute believes these efforts will help close the gender gap in STEM fields.
