Smart Cheli

In Nepal, very few women pursue engineering, making up only 21% of engineering students as per the Nepal Engineering Council's 2016 data. This indicates the difficulties women face in entering STEM fields. Stereotypes like 'girls aren't good at STEM' create big obstacles, discouraging girls from getting into STEM from a young age. These stereotypes make girls feel like STEM isn't for them, leading to fewer of them considering STEM careers.

 Socio-economic challenges, including extreme poverty and parental reluctance to invest in their daughters' education, contribute to significant gender disparities in literacy rates and educational attainment. For instance, while 66% of men can read and write, only 43% of females can. Additionally, in rural areas, where poverty rates are higher, over 70% of girls drop out of school by age 16, and child marriage rates are alarming, with 2 in 5 girls married by age 14.

These factors severely limit girls' access to education and subsequently their participation in STEM fields. However, research shows that improving girls' learning opportunities and providing quality education can significantly reduce these disparities. Educated girls are more likely to delay marriage, have fewer children, and actively contribute to their communities' socio-economic development.

Moreover, educating girls has a direct impact on narrowing the gender gap in STEM fields. By breaking down socio-economic barriers and providing equal educational opportunities, girls gain the necessary skills and confidence to pursue STEM subjects and careers. As the demand for STEM jobs continues to rise globally, addressing these disparities is crucial for fostering innovation and economic growth.

Our programs are centered around the idea of playful learning, where children are engaged through activities that are not only educational but also enjoyable. We are usinf 4ps framework (peer,passion,play and projects) which is developed by MIT media lab.

Firstly, we emphasize the importance of Peer interaction. Learning with and from peers fosters collaboration, communication, and teamwork skills. It creates a supportive community where children can learn from each other's experiences and perspectives.

Secondly, we encourage children to explore their Passion. By allowing them to pursue topics or activities they are genuinely interested in, we tap into their intrinsic motivation and curiosity, making learning more engaging and rewarding.

Thirdly, we incorporate elements of Play into our curriculum. Play is a natural way for children to learn and experiment. It encourages creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.

Lastly, our approach revolves around engaging children in hands-on Projects. Through project-based learning, children apply what they've learned to real-world challenges or scenarios. This not only reinforces their understanding of concepts but also cultivates skills such as innovation, resilience, and adaptability.

Based on 4ps we are offering following program,

1) STEM Addhyanshala

In our program, we introduce young minds in the world of coding with Scratch a block-based programming language. As they dive into Scratch, girls embark on a journey of self-discovery and confidence-building. Creating games and animations becomes more than just a hobby—it becomes a form of self-expression and empowerment. And while they're having fun, they're also laying a solid foundation in programming concepts that will serve them well in the future.

Once girls have mastered the basics, we introduce them to the world of real-time Python programming.  With Python IDEs as our teaching tools, we bring young girls in the real world of programming.

2) STEM learning kit

Our learning kit offers students a versatile platform for exploring a wide range of projects in STEM fields. At its core, the kit features a collection of block-based electronics components, including resistors, LEDs, sensors, and more. These components enable students to build circuits and prototypes without the need for complex wiring or soldering. One of the key advantages of our kit is its user friendly design, eliminating the need for a traditional breadboard. Instead of dealing with complex wiring and soldering, students can seamlessly connect the modular components. 

Once students have mastered the fundamentals of programming, they progress to advanced projects in electronics using Arduino microcontrollers. With Arduino, students can integrate a variety of sensors and actuators into their projects, allowing for real-time interaction and data collection.

In Nepal female population is 14.9 million which represents 51.02% of total population. Our solution impact the young girls of age group of 10 to 18.The population of this age group is  9.5 million and they represent 39.8% of that population. The impact we can create is huge.

28.8% researchers in the world are female.(Unesco , 2018)and 7.8% researchers in Nepal are female (Unesco,2018).  "STEM jobs are projected to surge by 2028,( Data from Bureau of Labor statistics) emphasizing the urgency to prepare girls for these opportunities. Our initiative offers engaging STEM courses for girls aged 10 to 16, aiming to ignite their interest and confidence in these fields early on.

In Nepal, there are two main types of schools: public schools, which are government-funded and free of charge, and private schools, which are non-governmental and operate for profit. Typically, only families from the upper middle or higher socioeconomic classes can afford to enroll their children in well-equipped private schools.

As a result, public schools have become associated with serving the lower class and economically disadvantaged populations. However, these schools often face significant challenges due to resource constraints, such as a lack of reading materials.

Our initiative focuses on young girls attending public schools in Kathmandu, who face barriers to quality education despite having access to computer and digital devices. Despite the presence of technology, these schools lack sufficient human and learning resources necessary to fully utilize these tools.

By acquiring these digital skills, girls can unlock a wide range of career opportunities in technology, design, and engineering, enabling them to pursue fulfilling and rewarding professions in the future.It empowers girls to become more confident and independent learners, fostering a sense of agency and self-reliance that extends beyond the classroom.

The team is a group of 6 dynamic women and two men representing diverse backgrounds of knowledge and expertise. With over 18 years of accumulated experience, the team is well-positioned to design and deliver the solution. The team has working experience in the education sector with the most vulnerable and marginalized communities in Nepal. The team has worked with children belonging to underserved communities in Nepal since 2020 and continues to do so even today. Similarly, human resources with educational and professional backgrounds in IT, machine learning, management, structural engineering, electronics engineering are the main components of the team leading the solution. 

One of our team members has been recognized with two global awards for her dedication to quality education. She received the Power of Radiance award in 2020, a joint initiative by Cle de Peau and UNICEF, as well as the Lead2030 Challenge award for Quality Education in 2021. Additionally, our team has collaborated with various girls-centered organizations and international bodies such as UNICEF, UNICEF South Asia, Nepal Telecommunication Authority, Scratch Foundation, HEC Paris, and Bank of America to reduce the gender gap in the STEAM field.

Our team has a proven track record of making a difference in the lives of girls. We have implemented projects and initiatives that have directly impacted the education and empowerment of girls in Nepal, with measurable results and success stories to showcase our impact. Recently, our course was included in the Book Free Friday initiative by Kathmandu Municipality. This program allows students to participate in extracurricular courses every Friday without the need for textbooks. Our course is now a part of this initiative, providing students with additional learning opportunities outside of their regular curriculum."

Our team represents a diverse range of backgrounds, including cultural, educational, and professional diversity. This diversity of perspectives and experiences enriches our approach to problem-solving and ensures that we can effectively address the complex challenges faced by marginalized communities.

1. Number of Girls Reached: "Over the past three years, we've empowered more than 2000 young girls from Kathmandu and Lalitpur through our educational programs. We've collaborated closely with public schools to ensure that these opportunities reach girls from diverse backgrounds."

2. Collaboration with Local Government: "Our program recently became a part of the Kathmandu Municipality's Book Free Friday initiative, benefitting 240 students. This initiative allows students to engage in extracurricular courses every Friday, without the need for textbooks. By integrating our course into this initiative, we're providing additional learning opportunities beyond the regular curriculum."

3. Development of STEM Kit with Story Guide Book: "In January, we successfully launched a STEM kit accompanied by a story guide booklet. This innovative resource was implemented in four schools in Kathmandu, reaching 100 young girls. The combination of hands-on learning and storytelling has proven to be highly effective in engaging students and fostering their interest in STEM subjects."

4. Assessment of Previous Learners: "Through assessments of our previous learners, we've discovered encouraging outcomes. Many of them have actively engaged in coding and electronics, and have even initiated coding clubs within their schools. This demonstrates the tangible impact of our program in nurturing a passion for STEM among young girls."

We are applying to this platform to get visible on global networks, build a network of like-minded solvers from similar contexts and backgrounds, and learn from other community leaders. We hope this platform will help us to learn from global experts. Nepal is still at a growing stage of technology. Our organization is led by young people so the tech support from experienced people will help to implement our work in a more effective way. At the same time, we also feel the need to be mentored by experts who can guide us in improving our business model. 

In addition to this, in case we receive financial support from the community, we will be able to educate young girls and make them ready for upcoming future.

Following factor makes our program more innovative :

1.  Playful Learning Paradigm: Our approach revolutionizes education by prioritizing playful learning over traditional methods. By infusing fun activities  into the curriculum, we transform the learning environment into an exciting adventure, where young girls eagerly dive into exploration and discovery. 
2.  Narrative-Infused Learning: By incorporating STEM ideas into a story booklet, we're not just teaching technical stuff. We're also sparking imagination and curiosity. This new way of learning makes it feel like an exciting adventure, where girls are the main characters in their own journey through STEM. Additionally, we've developed a background for scratch based on our local festivals and historic places.

3. Tangible Exploration with Electronic Blocks: The inclusion of electronic component blocks enhances the learning experience by providing tangible tools for experimentation. These blocks empower girls to build, tinker, and explore STEM concepts in a hands-on way, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for electronics and engineering principles.

4. Character-Led Instruction: We have created a  characters like the rabbit and the turtle to teach electronics and Arduino where turtle is Arduino master and rabbit is Scratch (Programming) master. It adds a layer of engagement and relatability to the learning process. The rabbit and turtle serve as mentors, guiding girls through the world of programming and electronics with charm and personality. 

5. Cross-Disciplinary Integration: Our project seamlessly integrates multiple disciplines, including storytelling, electronics, programming, and character development. This interdisciplinary approach not only enriches the learning experience but also prepares girls for the complexities of the modern world, where collaboration and versatility are key.

6. Empowerment through Creation: By enabling girls to create and innovate with the STEM kit, we are fostering a sense of empowerment and agency. This innovative approach shifts the focus from passive consumption to active participation, instilling confidence and a growth mindset in young learners.

7. Historical Relevance and Representation: We  incorporate elements of historical relevance and representation into our storytelling and characters. By celebrating historical backgrounds and perspectives, we can create a more inclusive and impactful learning experience that resonates with a wider audience.

Activities : 

1. Engagement in Playful STEM Activities: Incorporating playful STEM activities helps make learning enjoyable and accessible, fostering curiosity and interest in STEM subjects from a young age.

2. Participation in Hackathons: Hackathons provide opportunities for hands-on learning, collaboration, and problem-solving, empowering girls to apply their STEM knowledge and skills in real-world contexts.

3. Educating Local Trainers and Educators: Building capacity among local trainers and educators ensures the sustainability of STEM programs in the community, enabling continuous support and mentorship for young girls interested in STEM fields.

4. Parental Awareness: Raising awareness among parents about the importance of STEM education for their daughters helps overcome cultural barriers and encourages investment in their education, ultimately promoting gender equity in STEM.

Short-Term Goals:

• Developing key skills like computational thinking, problem-solving, and creativity lays the foundation for lifelong learning and success in STEM fields.
• Building confidence and risk-taking abilities empowers girls to overcome challenges and pursue their interests in STEM with resilience.

Long-Term Goals:

• Equipping girls with 21st-century skills prepares them for future careers in STEM and fosters a diverse talent pool in the workforce.
• Creating innovative female STEM leaders promotes inclusivity and diversity in STEM fields, driving innovation and societal progress.

Impact Goals in the next year

1.  Engage with 3500 children, ensuring 60% are girls and 40% are boys, to promote equal participation and representation in STEM fields.
2. Provide access to the learning kit to enhance innovation and learning in education, enabling hands-on exploration and experimentation in STEM subjects.
3.  Offer coding and advanced robotics training to children with internet access, equipping them with essential digital skills for future opportunities.
4.  Facilitate the development of 21st-century skills, including creative thinking, computational thinking, logical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities, among all 3500 children.

Impact goal for  next five years,

1.To make equal participate of women in the STEM field, and bring more innovative and diversified solution to the global problem.

2.To develop economically strong and innovative female STEM leaders

• Impact Assessment Indicators:
  

1.  Engagement while Working on Projects: Actively participating and investing effort in project tasks and activities.
2. Curiosity and Collaboration: Displaying a natural inclination to explore, learn, and work together with others in a collaborative and inclusive manner.
3. Inspiring New Ideas or Approaches: Stimulating creativity and innovation by introducing fresh perspectives and concepts to problem-solving discussions.
4. Taking Intellectual Risks: Showing a willingness to explore new ideas, experiment with unconventional approaches, and challenge existing assumptions.
5. Persisting to Achieve Goals in the Problem Space: Demonstrating determination and resilience in overcoming challenges and obstacles encountered during problem-solving processes.
6. Seeking and Responding to Feedback: Actively seeking input and reacting constructively to feedback received from peers or mentors.

1. In our programming curriculum, we use various tools suited for different skill levels and goals. Beginners start with Scratch, an easy-to-use visual programming app, to learn basic coding concepts. As students get better, we switch to Python IDE, a real-time coding platform, to help them understand programming principles more deeply.
2. For hands-on electronics projects, we use Arduino IDE and Arduino boards, which let students explore physical computing. To connect software with hardware, we also use Scratch for Arduino, allowing students to control Arduino boards using block-based programming. This approach helps students learn coding and electronics in a fun and accessible way.
3. To design storybook, we use two different tools: Canva and Illustrator. Illustrator helps us draw and design the characters in our stories. It's great for making detailed and unique characters with special expressions and looks. Canva, on the other hand, helps us put everything together. We use it to add text, arrange the story in pages, and add any other details like backgrounds or decorations. Canva makes it easy to organize all the parts of the story and make it look nice and easy to read.
4. To create a prototype of our kit, we used  Fusion 360, a sophisticated 3D modeling software. With Fusion 360, we carefully designed a detailed blueprint of the knob, specifying its shape, size, and intricate features. After ensuring the design met our standards, we effortlessly converted it into a format compatible with 3D printing technology. 
5. We used Figma to carefully design digital blueprints for our electronic component blocks, paying close attention to detail. Once finalized, we easily converted the design to a format suitable for laser cutting, ensuring precision and efficiency in bringing our designs to life .To manufacture blocks for electronic components, we used a laser cutter machine.

5 Full time employees

10 Part Time 

Total 15 employees

We are working on this solution form july,2020.

The solution is led by a group of  young women with diverse backgrounds  in terms of education, engineering  professional engagements. A support team including men and women acts as advisors and supports the team in making strategies and decisions. 

The teams' approach is to become all-inclusive irrespective of gender, caste, ethnicity, professional background, and language. We apply this approach while identifying our participants, target population, and communities that we work with. Similarly, we also engage with the ecosystem of the participants including their parents, community members, and other agents of change. 

Youth as facilitators for the children are also our working population. Our work area is focused on making STEM education accessible to the most marginalized and vulnerable communities in Nepal. 

This particular solution is targeted toward the  young girls from under represented  communities who are categorized as low income generating people in Nepal. Highly marginalized by origin, they have zero to no access to STEM Education. 

Key Resources:

• Human Resources: Experienced educators, STEM specialists, and community facilitators dedicated to empowering underserved communities.
• Technological Devices: Access to computers, tablets, and STEM learning kits for hands-on learning experiences.

Key Activities:

• Workshops and Training: Conducting interactive workshops and training sessions for students and educators.
• Educate via STEM Learning Kit: Providing STEM learning kits to schools and educators.
• Awareness Programs: Raising awareness about the importance of STEM education and its potential impact on socio-economic development through community engagement initiatives.

Type of Intervention:

• Services and Workshops: Offering services and workshops focused on project-based, hands-on learning experiences to enhance STEM education outcomes.
• Project-based Hands-on Workshop: Providing project-based workshops that encourage students to apply STEM concepts to real-world problems.

Segments:

• Students: Engaging young girls and boys from underserved communities in playful learning experiences to develop STEM literacy and skills.
• Teachers: Equipping educators with the tools, resources, and training needed to deliver effective STEM instruction in their classrooms.
• Schools: Partnering with schools to integrate STEM education programs into their curriculum and enhance learning outcomes for students.
• Parents: Involving parents in educational process through outreach initiatives and community engagement activities.
• Local Government: Collaborating with local government stakeholders to advocate for the importance of STEM education and secure funding and support for program implementation.

Value Proposition: Engaging young girls from underserved communities in playful learning experiences to develop STEM literacy and skills.

Impact Measures:

• Assessment Tools: Utilizing assessment tools to measure learning outcomes and track progress.
• MEAL Plan (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning): Implementing a robust MEAL plan to ensure program effectiveness and accountability.
• Communications Plan: Communicating impact and success stories to stakeholders through various channels.
• Reporting: Providing regular reports on program performance and impact to stakeholders.

Partners and Key Stakeholders:

• Schools: Partnering with schools to deliver STEM education programs and integrate them into the curriculum.
• Civil Society Organizations (CSOs): Collaborating with CSOs to reach underserved communities, engage parents, and advocate for the importance of STEM education.
• Local Government: Working with local government stakeholders to secure funding and support for program implementation and advocate for policy changes to prioritize STEM education.

Channels:

• In-person Training: Conducting workshops and training sessions in targeted communities to deliver hands-on learning experiences.
• Social Media: Utilizing social media platforms to raise awareness, engage with stakeholders, and promote our programs.

Additional Points:

1. Parental Involvement: We actively involve parents in the educational process through outreach initiatives and community engagement activities, recognizing the important role they play in supporting their children's learning.

2. Feedback Mechanisms: We have established feedback mechanisms to gather input from stakeholders, including students, teachers, parents, and local government officials, to continuously improve our programs and ensure their relevance and effectiveness.

By incorporating these elements into our business model, we aim to create a sustainable and impactful STEM education program that empowers young girls in Nepal to thrive in the 21st century.

1. Services-Based Program:

   • The project offers a year-long coding program aimed at children from major cities of Nepal who come from financially stable backgrounds. By providing this program, the project not only delivers valuable STEM education but also generates revenue through course fees. This revenue stream helps sustain the project by covering operational costs such as salaries for instructors, rental expenses for facilities, and other administrative overheads.

2. Learning Kit Sales:

   • In addition to the coding program, the project sells learning kits to parents and schools who have the financial means to afford them. These learning kits likely contain educational materials, tools, and resources related to STEM subjects, including coding, robotics, and other hands-on activities. By selling these kits, the project creates an additional revenue stream that contributes to its financial sustainability. The income generated from the sale of learning kits can be used to offset expenses such as kit production, marketing, and distribution, as well as to support the overall operation of the project.

 Simultaneously, we also work with the local government to implement the STEM courses in the identified schools that most need intervention in STEM education. Currently, these two activities are playing a vital role in our sustainability.

Similarly, through this project we aim to achieve financial sustainability in the following manner: 

1. Educating the Local Trainer; Training of Trainers (TOT) for Educators:

   • By educating local trainers and providing Training of Trainers (TOT) programs for educators, the project aims to build local capacity. This can reduce the dependency on external trainers, thus lowering training costs over time. Additionally, trained local educators can potentially generate revenue by offering their services to other institutions or communities.

2. Digital Implementation of Courses in Major Cities:

   • Implementing courses digitally in major cities can reduce administrative overheads associated with traditional in-person training sessions. Digital platforms allow for scalability, reaching a larger audience with minimal additional cost per participant. This efficiency in delivery can lead to cost savings and potentially generate revenue through course fees or subscriptions.

3. Collaboration with Local Government on ICT Fund:

   • By collaborating with the local government on their ICT (Information and Communication Technology) fund, the project can access financial resources allocated for technology-related initiatives. This collaboration not only provides financial support but also demonstrates the project's alignment with government priorities, potentially leading to additional funding opportunities and sustainability.

4. Reaching Out to Potential Donors and Funders for CSR Fund:

   • Engaging potential donors and funders to tap into the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund in the local market can provide a sustainable source of funding. Many companies allocate funds for CSR initiatives aimed at community development and education. By demonstrating the project's impact and alignment with CSR objectives, it can attract financial support from businesses interested in investing in social causes.

Overall, these strategies aim to create a sustainable financial model for the project by leveraging local resources, building partnerships with government entities and corporate donors, and implementing cost-effective delivery methods such as digital platforms. This diversified approach to funding can help ensure the long-term viability and impact of the project.