Future Skills Ecosystem Model

The current education system and curriculum in India have created a gap in civic understanding and awareness, leading to a lack of engagement among students in social decision-making and action. The total enrollment in higher education has increased to nearly 4.14 crore in 2020-21 from 3.85 crore in 2019-20, which means the scale of the problem in India is significant. 

In India, while we have the largest youth population, an increasing number of young people are alienated from social problems. This is distinct from political problems, as many youths are politically active and engage in voting and other activities such as party membership. However, there is a lack of discernible skills among young people for social awareness and decision-making that can have a meaningful impact beyond just voting.

The education system emphasizes rote-based learning, which limits imagination and inspiration. This results in a lack of education aligned with the actual aims of the National Curriculum Framework 2005, which states that education must be connected to the real world and inculcate a sense of civic duty in students. 

Traditional education is often non-participatory and does not allow for the development of civic agency, empathy, and future skills that will be essential for a new world order that is in all likelihood going to face a paucity of resources, climate change, and general strife.

Moreover, education is not inclusive of cultural affinities, thus not aligned with the cultural influences of young students.. 

While technology is a necessary tool, there is a lack of policy or guidance regarding computer education and ways in which technology enables civic consciousness and problem solving skills. Solutions that currently exist are not systemic and do not reach all students. 

Moreover, there is a lack of highly trained educators in the rural and underdeveloped regions of the nation. This further aggravates the lack of exposure and role models for the students and young generation, thereby alienating them further. 

There is a lack of a viable solution that is placed at the intersection of students, educators, systems, community, technology, and infrastructure. Pi Jam is rightly placed to perform this vital role for the empowerment of the young generation. 

We firmly believe that students possess a natural aptitude for problem-solving and creativity, and we seek to cultivate these qualities through our educational programs, as we have firsthand witnessed. Our goal is to enable the system to nurture and develop students' problem-solving abilities, empowering them to become proactive problem-solvers and creators in their communities and beyond.

At Pi Jam, our approach focuses on engaging students' participation and agency through a systems approach that bridges the gap and overcomes the barriers that exist in the current education system.

We aim to inspire and engage students in civic participation through computer science education that is experiential, inspiring and enables their natural problem-solving skills. Our solution is designed to provide equitable access to computer science education and promote agency among students. 

Through a systems approach, we engage with diverse ecosystems, including schools, communities, decision-makers, and policymakers. 

Our partnership with the national education departments, such as Samagra Shiksha, NCERT, and  Diksha, has helped us build a scalable and sustainable education model. While we are working closely with the national government, we are also working in depth with the governments of various states and regions. 

 We contextualize our solution for student communities that enables students to learn computer science by solving real-world problems that are relevant to their daily lives. This was demonstrated by Azmat,  a young student from Jammu and Kashmir, when she created a website to address the misinformation about the pandemic.

We believe that communication and expressing one's voice are essential elements of civic participation. Students' develop communication and critical thinking skills by providing them with opportunities to share their ideas and solutions with their peers and the wider community, as was demonstrated by Aashna, a student from an under-resourced rural school in Maharashtra. 

The curriculum we deliver employs a design thinking framework that nurtures empathy and problem-solving skills and enables students to learn by working on issues that they see in their daily lives, giving them not only access to education but also a voice. They are actively creating solutions that can solve problems for their community, as was shown by the Grade 8 students of a rural school in Maharashtra, who utilized a coded weather station powered by a Raspberry Pi to prevent crop loss in her village. These tangible outcomes exemplify the effectiveness of our solution in utilizing technology to solve problems, tackle environmental issues and empower students from all backgrounds.

Let’s Code is our gender-inclusive, gender-sensitized solution, which aims to address the issue of limited access to computer science education and equip all students, with a special emphasis on female students, with the skills they need to become problem-solvers, creative thinkers, and responsible citizens.  This is also inspiring our students to express and address the gender exclusion in their own unique ways, as Humaira did through rap on building gender sensitivity and awareness. 

Our students are also spearheading the CS movement called the Gully Gully Code using the Code Mitra application. Children in the gullies (slum communities ) of India are developing 21st-century skills and demonstrating them through their digital creations that highlight the growing air pollution and waste littering that they see in their communities. 

Our solution aims to provide equitable access to computer science education, foster creativity, and problem-solving skills among students, and promote civic participation and agency in diverse communities.

Our solution aims to serve students, teachers, and educators who are currently underserved in terms of access to high-quality computer science education and opportunities to meaningfully engage with their community. Specifically, we are working to directly and meaningfully improve the lives of students who lack exposure to future skills learning and opportunities to develop their creativity, confidence, and problem-solving abilities. These students are often excluded due to gender biases, a lack of access, and limited spaces for expression.

Our target population includes students from low-income communities, rural areas, and underserved urban areas who face significant barriers to accessing high-quality computer science education. These students may not have access to traditional computer labs or technology resources, and may not have the opportunity to develop the skills they need to thrive in the modern world.

By providing our Pi Labs, Code Mitra application, and virtual learning platform, we aim to address the needs of these students by creating a comprehensive learning experience that is accessible, culturally relevant, and effective. Our solution is designed to break down barriers to access and create a level playing field where all students, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds and geographical location, can access high-quality computer science education.

Through our solution, students will have the opportunity to learn about coding and computational thinking in a way that is fun, engaging, and relevant to their local context. They will be able to experiment, create, and tinker with technology, building their confidence and creativity. By developing these skills, students will be better equipped to succeed in the modern world, whether they choose to pursue a career in technology or another field.

In addition to serving students, our solution also aims to improve the lives of teachers and educators who may not have the resources or training needed to provide high-quality computer science education. By providing access to our Pi Labs, Code Mitra application, and virtual learning platform, teachers will have the opportunity to develop their own skills and knowledge, improving the quality of education they can provide to their students.

Our team leader is an engineer turned educator, which has equipped him with a deep understanding of technology and how it can be used to solve complex problems. Additionally, he has worked as an educator in under-resourced schools in India as part of Teach for India. This experience has given him firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by marginalized communities and a deep commitment to promoting equitable access to education that allows students to become problem solvers for their community. 

Our team comprises of of educators who are members of underrepresented communities. We believe that this diversity is essential to designing solutions that are truly responsive to the needs of the communities we serve. We are deeply committed to promoting equity and inclusion. This contributes to a sense of ownership and investment in the project and also ensures that the solution is designed with those we serve in mind.

We have conducted extensive research to better understand the needs and challenges of the communities we are serving. This has included conducting focus groups, interviews, and surveys to gather feedback and insights from a diverse range of stakeholders. We are also working closely with decision-makers and corporate leaders to learn from their expertise and design robust solutions. 

We are working with a team of researchers and evaluators to develop rigorous metrics to track the effectiveness of our solution and bring in multidimensional perspectives. 

Our team leader has a deep understanding of technology and education, and our team is diverse and committed to promoting equity and inclusion. We are engaging with the target population in a variety of ways and incorporating their input into our design process. We are committed to evaluating the impact of our solution on an ongoing basis to ensure that we are delivering the maximum possible impact.

Our curriculum and technology developers have extensive experience in computer science research. Therefore, they have a deep understanding of the subject matter and can design a curriculum that is relevant and effective in teaching students about civic engagement and problem-solving through technology.

In addition, the fact that student interns make up an instrumental part of the Pi Jam team is a testament to our commitment to engaging with the communities we are serving. During COVID-19, our student intern observed that the government schools we serve do not have the possibility to install automatic hand sanitizers due to high costs He then developed a working prototype of affordable automatic hand sanitizers, which was created using the problem-solving framework.  These interns are students who have gone through the Pi Jam classroom program themselves, and their feedback and ideas ensure that the solution is responsive to the needs of the communities we serve. 

Our team's experience, dedication, and qualifications ensure that we design and deliver an effective technology-enabled solution that helps learners take effective action on community and global issues by deepening civic knowledge and practicing collaborative problem-solving. 

Pi Jam, shares Solve's mission of leveraging technology to solve complex challenges. At P I Jam, we are working to make holistic computer science education available to everyone, reimagining education by bridging the digital divide. We have already made significant progress in addressing this issue by building alliances with the Indian government, NGOs, low-income schools, and organizations like Amazon's Teach an Engineer program.

One of our primary goals is to use affordable, low-budget processors and technology to develop easy-to-use computer science and coding solutions that students can use to tackle the issues they are passionate about. Our focus is on empowering students from diverse backgrounds and communities, not just the privileged few, by providing them with the necessary skills to become creative problem-solvers and responsible citizens.

However, we still face several financial, technical, legal, cultural, and market barriers that we hope Solve can help us overcome. We believe that collaborating with Solve's network of partners and mentors can help us gain better access to technology and other resources to scale our programs further. By working with Solve, we can continue our efforts to create a gender-inclusive, sensitive, culturally, and socially responsible curriculum that addresses the lack of access to coding and computer science education for underprivileged and female students.

Our organization seeks to collaborate with partners who share our vision of providing equitable access to computer science education. We believe that Solve's approach aligns with our mission of fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and civic participation among students from diverse backgrounds.  Solve's focus on connecting Solver teams with partners who can provide tangible support aligns with our own approach to partnership and collaboration. We look forward to the opportunity to work with Solve and its partners to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and communities around the world.

Our solution at Pi Jam is unique and innovative due to its comprehensive and contextualized approach to addressing the digital divide in computer science education. We recognize that this issue cannot be solved through a one-size-fits-all approach and requires systemic change. Our ecosystem approach involves engaging and empowering students, teachers, and decision-makers at all levels to create a sustainable and effective system of change.

Our solution is culturally and linguistically responsive, taking into account the diverse backgrounds and needs of students. We believe that computer science education must be inclusive and gender-neutral, which is why our pedagogy is designed to cater to students of all genders and backgrounds. We aim to address the gender bias that exists within the education system and to overcome the lack of access to subjects like coding and computer science for underprivileged and female students from different backgrounds.

We use affordable technology, including low-cost processors, to make computer science education accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. Our cost-effective approach involves training and building the capacity of in-house teachers, providing them with the skills and tools they need to teach computer science effectively. Our interactive platform, Code Mitra, uses a design thinking approach to problem-solving, allowing students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while also learning how to code. We combine design thinking and computational thinking to create a holistic approach to problem-solving that is effective and engaging.

Our solution is scalable, but we also recognize the importance of contextualizing it to meet the needs of the community. We believe that one of the strengths of our approach is that it can be adapted and customized to fit the specific needs of different communities and stakeholders. By collaborating with partners at scale, we can gain better access to technology and resources, which will help us scale our programs and make a broader positive impact.

Our approach is innovative in that it focuses not only on providing access to computer science education but also on promoting creativity, problem-solving, and civic participation among students. We believe that our solution has the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts from others in this space by inspiring similar approaches that prioritize equity, inclusivity, and affordability. Our student from 6th grade created a code that politely asks people to wear a mask and thanks them for wearing it. Ultimately, we believe that our solution can change the market by transforming the way that computer science education is delivered and by creating a more equitable and accessible system for all students.

1. Encouraging Civic Participation: Pi Jam aims to encourage young people to participate in civic activities such as volunteering, and building community solutions. By providing young people with opportunities to develop their skills, Pi Jam hopes to empower them to become agents of change in their communities.

2. Addressing Social Issues: Pi Jam believes that technology can be used to address social issues such as poverty, inequality, and discrimination. The organization encourages young people to use their skills to develop innovative solutions to these problems.

3. Fostering Government Partnership: Pi Jam aims to foster community engagement by partnering with community organizations, and government agencies. By working together, Pi Jam hopes to create a culture of collaboration and community involvement.

4. Promoting Diversity and Inclusion: Pi Jam is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in its programs and events. The organization believes that by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, young people from all backgrounds can come together to learn and develop their skills.

5. Advocating for Digital Rights: Pi Jam is dedicated to advocating for digital rights such as privacy, freedom of expression, and access to information. The organization believes that these rights are essential for the development of a free and open society, and it encourages young people to become advocates for these issues.

Pi Jam aims to achieve its civic action impact goals through a range of programs, initiatives, and partnerships. Here are some of the ways in which the organization plans to achieve its goals:

1. Coding and Computing Skills Programs: Pi Jam offers a range of coding and computing skills programs for young people. These programs are designed to help participants develop their skills and prepare them for careers in the tech industry.

2. Hackathons and Competitions: Pi Jam organizes hackathons and coding competitions to provide young people with opportunities to apply their skills and develop innovative solutions to social issues. These events encourage collaboration and community engagement.

3. Community Outreach Programs: Pi Jam partners with local schools, community organizations, and government agencies to provide access to technology and computing resources. These programs are designed to reach young people who may not have access to these resources.

4. Advocacy and Awareness Campaigns: Pi Jam advocates for digital rights and promotes awareness of issues related to technology and society. The organization uses its platform to raise awareness and engage young people in advocacy efforts.

5. Partnerships and Collaborations: Pi Jam collaborates with various organizations to develop programs and initiatives that promote civic engagement, diversity, and inclusion. These partnerships enable the organization to reach a wider audience and create more

Impact Measurement is extremely critical when charting the progress of an initiative. At Pi Jam we have designed a comprehensive impact measurement tool that looks at qualitative as well as quantitative indicators. 

One of the critical parameters is Comfort with technology which allows us to measure the attitudes and relationships that students are building with technology. 

We also measure foundational skills such as problem-solving, logical reasoning, and computational thinking, using baseline and endline assessments,  which allow for building more technical competencies such as programming abilities. We have designed our own framework drawing from the various global standardized framework to ensure a robust Monitoring and Evaluation of the intervention.

The following parameters are measured: 

1. Comfort with Technology

•  Openness
• Fear 
• Existing Comfort 
• Inclination towards Careers in Science and Tech

2. Programming Skills

• Algorithmic Clarity
• Debugging

3. Problem Solving

• Identifying and Defining Problems
• Strategies and Solutions
• Planning 
• Implementation and Justification of the solution

4. Cofidence and Collaboration

Through this curriculum, we are also measuring for confidence and enhanced awareness about computers and their possibilities among students. 

Through these indicators, we want to understand how best we can demystify technology and build confident digital natives. 

At the end of the curriculum, we conduct a capstone project showcase, where students build solutions to real-world problems. This provides students to employ the design thinking framework toward building problem-solving. Students create these solutions by employing their digital and technical skills. The projects also reflect the values, social awareness,, and social-emotional competencies of the students.

At  Pi Jam we aim to provide equitable access to computer science education and promote agency among students from diverse backgrounds. We believe that technology can play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide and creating opportunities for all students to learn and develop essential skills.

To achieve this goal, we leverage a variety of innovative and affordable technologies that are designed to provide accessible and culturally relevant computer science education to students. One of the core technologies powering our solution is the Raspberry Pi, which is a low-cost and accessible microprocessor. The Pi Labs are powered by Raspberry Pis, which serve as an effective way to set up fully functioning computer labs and reduce barriers to access. Moreover, its open-source technology allows students to experiment, create, and tinker with technology.

Another technology that we use is the Code Mitra application, which is an open-source mobile-based application designed to help students practice and learn computational thinking, problem-solving, and block-based programming in their local language and context. This tool gamifies the complex process of coding, allowing students to develop their programming skills while building confidence and creativity.

Additionally, our virtual learning platform is designed to provide students with a seamless learning experience that is accessible from anywhere and allows them to learn at their own pace and time. By leveraging technology, we can provide students with a comprehensive learning experience that is both accessible and culturally relevant, creating a level playing field where all students can access high-quality computer science education and develop the skills they need to succeed in the modern world.

At Pi Jam, we recognize that technology is not a silver bullet and that creating meaningful change requires a systemic and partnership-based approach that engages with schools, communities, and other stakeholders to develop sustainable initiatives. Therefore, we contextualize our solution to student communities by using an application-based learning model that enables students to learn computer science by solving real-world problems that are relevant to their daily lives. This approach not only provides students with a tangible connection to the concepts they are learning but also empowers them to become active problem solvers and creators.

We also use a design thinking approach to problem-solving that places empathy at the core of our solutions.

To further our goal of providing access to computer science education, we have open-sourced our technology, making it available both digitally and physically through Let's Code for communities and households, and PI Labs in under-resourced government schools. Our Let's Code solution is gender-inclusive and gender-sensitized, addressing the issue of limited access to computer science education and equipping all students, including female students, with the skills they need to become problem-solvers, creative thinkers, and responsible citizens. Overall, by leveraging innovative and affordable technologies, we can create opportunities for all students to learn and develop the essential skills they need to succeed in the modern world.

At  Pi Jam we aim to provide equitable access to computer science education and promote agency among students from diverse backgrounds. We believe that technology can play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide and creating opportunities for all students to learn and develop essential skills.

To achieve this goal, we leverage a variety of innovative and affordable technologies that are designed to provide accessible and culturally relevant computer science education to students. One of the core technologies powering our solution is the Raspberry Pi, which is a low-cost and accessible microprocessor. The Pi Labs are powered by Raspberry Pis, which serve as an effective way to set up fully functioning computer labs and reduce barriers to access. Moreover, its open-source technology allows students to experiment, create, and tinker with technology.

Another technology that we use is the Code Mitra application, which is an open-source mobile-based application designed to help students practice and learn computational thinking, problem-solving, and block-based programming in their local language and context. This tool gamifies the complex process of coding, allowing students to develop their programming skills while building confidence and creativity.

Additionally, our virtual learning platform is designed to provide students with a seamless learning experience that is accessible from anywhere and allows them to learn at their own pace and time. By leveraging technology, we can provide students with a comprehensive learning experience that is both accessible and culturally relevant, creating a level playing field where all students can access high-quality computer science education and develop the skills they need to succeed in the modern world.

At Pi Jam, we recognize that technology is not a silver bullet and that creating meaningful change requires a systemic and partnership-based approach that engages with schools, communities, and other stakeholders to develop sustainable initiatives. Therefore, we contextualize our solution to student communities by using an application-based learning model that enables students to learn computer science by solving real-world problems that are relevant to their daily lives. This approach not only provides students with a tangible connection to the concepts they are learning but also empowers them to become active problem solvers and creators.

We also use a design thinking approach to problem-solving that places empathy at the core of our solutions. By understanding the unique needs and challenges of each community, we can develop solutions that are culturally and socially responsible and can have a lasting impact on students' lives. 

To further our goal of providing access to computer science education, we have open-sourced our technology, making it available both digitally and physically through Let's Code for communities and households, and PI Labs in under-resourced government schools. Our Let's Code solution is gender-inclusive and gender-sensitized, addressing the issue of limited access to computer science education and equipping all students, including female students, with the skills they need to become problem-solvers, creative thinkers, and responsible citizens. Overall, by leveraging innovative and affordable technologies, we can create opportunities for all students to learn and develop the essential skills they need to succeed in the modern world.

Onboarding and retaining diverse talent has become a critical imperative as it brings a range of perspectives, experiences, and ideas that can enhance creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. Moreover, it fosters an inclusive culture that makes everyone feel valued and respected, leading to higher engagement, retention, and productivity. 

Recruiting from diverse communities across the country is a great way to tap into a broader talent pool and expand the co-learning space for all. 

Achieving gender parity across all levels of the organization has been a priority for us.  Gender diversity is essential for building a balanced and equitable workplace that fosters a sense of belonging for all employees. By having an equal ratio of men and women, we have tried to build an environment where there are equal opportunities for all to grow, develop, and contribute to the organization's success.

Having a majority of women in leadership positions is a testament to our commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion. Women leaders bring unique perspectives, empathy, experiences, and skills to the table, and their presence can lead to better decision-making, more innovation, and improved performance.

Finally, promoting open communication and active listening is critical for creating a productive feedback loop that fosters continuous improvement. By holding spaces where employees can share their thoughts, ideas, and feedback, we aim to gain valuable insights into what works and what needs to be improved. Here we strive to ensure that all voices are heard, valued, and acted upon.