On the 15th of February 2024, Science-4 and Robotics-4 sessions unfolded at Bara Katali ML. Model High School, Bagerhat, as part of the STEM & ICT Skills for the Girls of Coastal Area (SISGCA) project. This initiative, generously funded by the Malala Fund in collaboration with BdOSN, aimed to bridge the educational gender gap and empower females of coastal areas. 24 females and 21 males, a total of 45 students from classes 6 to 8 participated actively in these sessions.
The primary aim of the session was to ignite a passion for science and information technology, creating a conducive environment for learning and innovation. Recognizing the educational gender gap in coastal areas and the limited access to science and technology education for girls, the SISGCA project strives to break down barriers hindering village girls from pursuing higher education.
Mahbub Ul Islam Khan Nibir, the Project Coordinator for SISGCA, set the tone for the session with a warm welcome note. The presence of Regional Coordinator Tanvir Ahmed Juwel and Program Executive Rezaul Islam emphasized the significance of the program.
The robotics segment, led by Mishal Islam, Academic Coordinator of Bangladesh Robot Olympiad, and Abul Hasan and Md Shohanur Islam Sobuj, proved transformative. In this session, the participants delved into the fundamentals of building and operating line following robots. They gained theoretical knowledge on motor driver operation for wheel control, Arduino programming for robot behavior, and sensor tuning for accurate line detection. Through hands-on practice, they built their own line following robots, applying their acquired knowledge to program and calibrate them for successful navigation on a designated track. This comprehensive session equipped participants with a solid understanding of basic line following robots, paving the way for future endeavors in more advanced robotics.
The Science session, led by Farzana Akter Lima, Mahmud Mim, and Taposh Halder, Mentors at BdOSN, offered an insightful journey. In the science session, students are introduced to the concept of scientific posters and provided with a review of previous lessons. Additionally, a question-and-answer session is facilitated to solidify understanding. During this session, a concise review of prior topics is conducted while also encouraging students to inquire about real-life, science-based questions, fostering their understanding through interactive learning. This approach allows students to gain a clear grasp of various scientific concepts and facilitates the further expansion of their knowledge.
The SISGCA session at Bara Katali ML. Model High School is a beacon of empowerment, inspiring young minds to embrace science and technology. As these students embark on their educational journey, the ripple effect of this initiative is bound to create positive change in the coastal areas, bridging the educational gender gap and fostering a brighter future.