Shillong, Sept 16: Avenues concluded its three-day APEX STEM Bootcamps at Bynther Secondary School last week, reaching over 118 students from Classes 7, 8, and 9, in a unique intervention designed to make science and mathematics come alive through curiosity, collaboration, and experiential learning.
Funded by Avenues, the initiative comes against the backdrop of long-standing challenges in rural schools where students often struggle with foundational concepts in mathematics and science, and where rote learning and exam-driven outcomes overshadow creativity, problem-solving, and real-world application. These bootcamps address such gaps by turning classrooms into spaces where learning is rooted in exploration, practical application, and confidence-building. The curriculum blends energisers, interactive challenges, and hands-on modules, helping participants experience science and mathematics in everyday contexts.
Smti. A D. Synrem, Special Officer (Science Education) DSEL, Shillong, who attended the certification programme as Chief Guest, shared, “From what I have seen, the children here have not only learned knowledge but also gained confidence. I was also happy to hear that beyond science and mathematics, students were introduced to skills like smart budgeting and savings, which are equally important in life. What Avenues has done here is not just about knowledge – it is about preparing young people with the confidence and curiosity to move forward.”
Ufinia Nongsiej of Class 9 reflected, “On the first day, I learned about smart budgeting and simple interest, how to save and spend money. On Day 2 it was robotics, circuits and sensors, and today about irrigation systems. By doing the activities and projects ourselves, we understood better than by just looking at pictures.”
As proof of learning, Class 8 students presented their project, the Hydro Overflow Controller, a working model designed to prevent water wastage by automatically switching off pumps. The demonstration, which applied concepts of water pressure, electromagnetism, and circuitry, reflected not only teamwork but also the kind of problem-solving and innovation envisioned under the National Education Policy (NEP).
Teachers too observed a transformation. Lakshimina Kurbah, Class 8 teacher, said, “I saw that students were very active and interested. Even the quiet ones, who are usually not so active, were very engaged.”
Richborn Kharbuki, STEM Coordinator at Avenues, added, “The objective of this bootcamp was to create a fun and inclusive learning environment where students enjoy themselves while learning. When children have fun, they naturally pick up concepts on their own. We only need to guide them on how to learn. That’s why we used games, demonstrations, and hands-on activities linked to concepts they could see and relate to. But learning cannot stop at understanding. Through project-based learning, students applied what they learned to solve real-life problems. Opportunities like these can have a huge impact on science and math performance in Meghalaya, where outcomes remain low. This bootcamp is one small step towards changing that story.”
For some, the bootcamp replaced fear with joy. Pasiangshida Kharjana of Class 7 shared, “When our teacher told us there would be a workshop on maths and science, I thought it would be boring. But when the sessions started, it was fun and interesting. We hope Avenues will come back to our school.”
Smti. Aitimis Kharsyntiew, Principal of Bynther Secondary School, said, “Our students, especially from rural areas, face problems in these subjects, sometimes even a phobia. Through this three-day programme, they have been encouraged to learn better and become curious about these subjects. It has inspired them to see maths and science as pathways to a better future, especially in today’s world of technology. We are thankful to Avenues for bringing this programme to our school.”
Calling the initiative a milestone, Mark Laitflang Stone, CEO of Avenues, said, “For 23 years, youth and campus interventions have been our work, but this is the first time we have brought a STEM-focussed training model like this to a school. We believe science deserves to be brought to every corner of our state, and your school is where it starts.”
For Avenues, this marks the first proof-of-concept for a larger vision – scaling STEM Bootcamps to more schools and districts across Meghalaya so that every learner can face everyday questions through hands-on discovery.
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