KHAMMAM, MARCH 06, 2024: Smile Foundation with the support from Shell India and in association with Govt. of Telangana organised NXplorers Carnival in Khammam. The day-long carnival was organised with the aim of providing rural school children a platform to display their prowess in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and understanding of the SDGs (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals), in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The NXplorers Junior is an innovative educational programme that aims to empower young minds to address the complex challenges faced by the world today and to become agents of change. It also provides the tools, methodologies and skills needed to tackle the real-world problems using collaborative, innovative and inter-disciplinary approaches, developing STEM habits of mind through critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills are a few other goals. These are underlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, the programme is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and it envisions complementing the latter’s objectives.
Smile Foundation has been implementing the NXplorers Junior programme, a global flagship social investment STEM educational initiative from Shell, in 116 government schools in eight districts of Telangana, that include such as Warangal, Khammam, Hanumakonda, Jayashankar Bhupalpalli, Jangaon, Mulugu, Mahabubabad, and Bhadradri Kothagudem.
In addition, 77 government and affordable private schools of Thrissur district of Kerala, and 89 government schools in Tirupati and Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh are also covered under this internationally successful programme for school children.
Ms. T. Anjali, Regional Coordinating Officer (RCO), MJP Schools, erstwhile Khammam district; Mr. Raj Shekhar, Chief Monitoring Officer and Mr. D. Jagadeswar, District Science Officer of Khammam were among the distinguished dignitaries and experts present during the carnival.
As many as 31 selected change projects and innovative models in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) were exhibited by 101 students from 17 schools from Khammam and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts of Telangana during the carnival. The school children had come up with working models and innovative ideas related to every-day problems, sustainable agricultural practice, controlling emission, nature conservation and many areas linked with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Ms. T. Anjali, Regional Coordinating Officer (RCO) said, “This amazing programme is nurturing the future generation which has the potential to drive the world towards a sustainable future.”
Mr. Raj Shekhar, Chief Monitoring Officer said, “A small idea which has solved a complex problem will be remembered for centuries, shifting the communities towards green energies will create sustainable future. The NXplorers programme which focuses on innovative thinking will help children grow in all aspects. I thank Smile Foundation for conducting such a good initiative in Khammam district.”
Mr. D. Jagadeswar, District Science Officer of Khammam said, “Mother nature has a solution to every problem. Students must develop scientific temper to create sustainable solutions in the society, and science shall be accepted as a way of life. Creating problem solving attitude in the children will solve the challenges arising in the future.”
