SRINAGAR, AUGUST 10: Organised in collaboration with NIT Srinagar, the programme was conducted under the JKST&IC (SREP 2025–26) funded project titled “Psychology-Driven STEM Learning to Build Scientific Temper in the Border Villages of Kashmir.” The initiative is led by Dr. Eshrat Ara (Principal Investigator, GCW M.A. Road) in collaboration with Dr. Dinesh Kumar Rajendran (Co-Principal Investigator, NIT Srinagar).
The programme, as per a statement, aims at integrating psychological principles with hands-on STEM learning, enabling students to develop critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving skills, and innovation capacity.
A major highlight of the initiative is its structured capacity-building approach. Prior to the student training, 35 teachers were trained through an intensive 3-day Master Training Programme, creating a strong foundation for sustained implementation. From this cohort, selected Master Trainers actively contributed to the student training programme, reflecting an effective cascade model of knowledge transfer and scalability.
The trained Master Trainers who contributed significantly to the student programme include Dr. Mateen Yousuf, Ms. Samiya Manzoor, Ms. Abida Wahad, Dr. Sheezan Rasool, and Ms. Iqra Akhter. These Master Trainers not only facilitated the sessions but also worked alongside the resource persons, strengthening the delivery and ensuring effective engagement throughout the programme. The resource persons included Dr. Parsa Sarosh, Faculty of Electronics, GCW M.A. Road, and Prof. Naureen Naseer, Faculty of Psychology, GCW M.A. Road, among others.
Over the course of three days, 60 students from different Higher Secondary Schools of Srinagar participated in the programme. The training offered a carefully designed blend of psychology-driven learning and practical STEM exposure. Students were introduced to problem-solving frameworks, stress management techniques, and design thinking, alongside hands-on engagement with Arduino, sensors, IoT-based automation, 3D printing, drone simulation, and robotics.
The training emphasized learning by doing, with students actively participating in building models such as smart dustbin systems and home automation prototypes, as well as engaging in simulation-based and collaborative activities.
The involvement of trained Master Trainers ensured peer-supported learning, effective facilitation, and continuity of training outcomes, demonstrating the success of the project’s capacity-building strategy.
The programme concluded with a brainstorming and feedback session, where students were encouraged to conceptualize and submit project ideas addressing real-life and community-based challenges. The session reflected strong engagement, creativity, and the practical application of learned concepts.
The event concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony, marking the successful completion of the training. The initiative represents a significant step toward building a sustainable ecosystem of psychology-driven STEM education, with planned outreach to border and underserved regions including Gurez, Uri, Karnah, and Keran.
