From Curiosity to Career: How LGP Cultivates a Lifelong Passion for STEM

The Lodha Genius Programme’s (LGP) On-Campus engagement at Ashoka University provided students with a unique platform to explore interdisciplinary courses spanning STEM and beyond. It offered a myriad of avenues for students, enabling them to get hands-on learning through exciting science workshops and projects, interactive and engaging activities to help them learn mathematics, opportunities to tackle real-world challenges by designing innovative, sustainable, and scalable solutions and learning from scientists and industry leaders through ‘Great Ideas Seminar’. The diverse cohort, representing 20 states across India, fostered a vibrant environment for peer learning and cultural exchange, enriching the entire experience.

A key outcome of the On-Campus experience was the students’ budding interest in STEM and a keen interest in exploring further—finding solutions for contemporary societal problems, exploring internship opportunities, and pursuing undergraduate programmes and at large a career in Sciences. To address this need of students and ensure continued engagement to hone their knowledge, and skills, and expand their interests, LGP launched Continued Learning, focusing on three key aspects- Learning and Development, Mentorship, and Access to Opportunities.

Learning and Development – Fostering Academic Excellence Through Courses in STEM and Beyond

The Learning and Development module offers a wide array of courses conducted in both live and self-paced formats, blending theory with hands-on experiences. Students explore diverse topics, such as using physics to understand astrophysical objects and learning about various other observing instruments in India in the Physics of Astrophysics course, or designing practical solutions such as smart home automation and smart irrigation systems in the Internet of Things course, using microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators. The Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking course empowers students to create ‘micro-startups’ by identifying societal problems, brainstorming unique solutions, developing prototypes, and testing their ideas mirroring a startup environment. Similarly, the Education, Justice, and Literacy course uses an interdisciplinary lens to encourage students to conceptualise socially just education initiatives and reflect on social and political actions.

Courses such as Computational Biology at the Neuron Membrane focus on neurobiology through computational modelling and creative video projects, while the Building a Computational Biology Curriculum course enables students to design educational modules integrating biology and computational skills. In the Chip Design for High School course, students gain insights into electronics and logical circuit creation, enhancing their problem-solving skills. The Mathematics course equips students with advanced problem-solving abilities in calculus, algebra, and geometry, while the Financial Independence course imparts essential personal finance and investment knowledge, equipping students with tools for long-term financial security.

Each course is structured to achieve an optimal student-to-instructor ratio, allowing students to receive personalised attention and timely feedback on their performance during classroom and outside through doubt-clearing sessions and office hours. Additionally, interventions such as discussion sessions and course-specific groups encourage peer learning and community building. By offering such an extensive range of innovative courses, the module aims to nurture creativity, critical thinking, and practical problem-solving skills, effectively preparing students for diverse academic and career pathways.

Mentorship – Providing a Holistic Support Through Personalised Guidance
While the academic and extracurricular experiences offered at LGP provide exposure to diverse academic and career pathways, they are further enhanced by personalised mentorship that nurtures each student’s growth. This support is particularly crucial for two reasons- Firstly, the students belong to grades 9 to 12 and they are in need of guidance and mentorship to navigate their academic interests, make informed college and career choices, and maintain overall well-being. Secondly, many LGP participants come from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. These students may lack access to the social, cultural, and economic capital needed to confidently pursue their aspirations, making mentorship a vital aspect of their journey.

To address these needs, LGP offers mentorship through two key avenues. The first is mentorship by Scienspur, a network of postdoctoral fellows who provide need-based guidance to students on STEM-related projects, college admissions, career guidance, and other academic field-related support by connecting them to relevant specialised field experts. They also provide exposure to students by conducting Career Pathway Seminars involving scientists and industry leaders from diverse fields.

The second avenue is mentorship provided by Counselors, which is focused on providing socio-emotional support alongside academic and career guidance. This approach ensures that students not only gain clarity about their future options but also build confidence and resilience to navigate challenges effectively. The primary goal of providing mentorship support is to empower students to make informed decisions, realise their potential, and foster a sense of belonging as they embark on their educational and career journeys.

Access to Opportunities – Providing Exposure to Students to Further their Goals and Aspirations
As a part of LGP’s commitment to nurturing talent and providing meaningful growth opportunities, the students who demonstrate strong potential are offered access to a wide range of initiatives that are designed specifically to enhance their academic and career prospects.

One key aspect is internships with esteemed organisations and universities, where students gain exposure and invaluable hands-on experience in real-world settings. As part of this initiative, five LGP students will soon participate in a 9-week Science Internship Programme at the University of California, Santa Cruz, a research programme designed for high school students in STEAM fields. Additionally, LGP organises immersive field visits to research institutions, observatories, and short-term projects, allowing students to engage directly with scientific inquiry and industry practices. High-performing students from the Physics of Astrophysics course will have the opportunity to visit the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope, managed by the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics in Pune.

Students are also encouraged to participate in prestigious national and international competitions and conferences, which provide a platform to showcase their knowledge and skills while representing both India and LGP. Notably, five students from the programme are part of a 100-student cohort representing India at the Design for Change Conference in Dubai, where they will apply design thinking to develop innovative solutions for societal challenges. Furthermore, select students will represent India at The European Tournament of Enthusiastic Apprentice Mathematicians (ETEAM) to be held in France.

Lastly, one of the unique offerings of LGP is the ‘Shadow the Scientist’ programme, which connects students to live scientific experiments through remote observing sessions, providing them with an extraordinary opportunity to witness professional research in action. Through these thoughtfully curated experiences, LGP offers students practical exposure, expert mentorship, and a global perspective, paving the way for future success in diverse academic and professional fields.

(Written by Prasenjeet Patil, Program Manager, Lodha Genius Programme)