In today’s world full of technology and advancement, only theory based knowledge isn’t enough. Narmada Bal Ghar is an NGO that works on providing a new way of education with experiential learning by empowering 850+ schools with Classroom Labs, Providing resources to 1100+ teachers and reaching more than 250K students all over the world. They believe in making kids Future ready by developing entrepreneurial skills.
Narmada Bal Ghar was established in 1999 by Bharatbhai Mehta along with close friends and relatives. Managing trustee is Mr. C. P. Shah, Director Jayesh A. Oza, with Advisory Committee members : Dr. R. A. Mashelkar (Padma Vibhushan), Dr. Sudhir M. Parikh (Padma Shree), Dr. Balvant Jani, Dr. Anamik Shah and Mr. Kirit Vasa.
NBG is focused on giving Experiential Learning of science and technology to School Students of age 3-18 years, on School education. For Physics, Chemistry and Biology they have designed 120+, 70+ and 80+ tests for observations and experiential learning by activity kits based on official school curriculums.
Apart from school studies, they also have subjects for co-curriculum that offers Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Initiatives that aids our day to life and are clearly the future in every field:
- Computer coding (uses Child compatible Blockly language)
- Drone Assembly and piloting (mantling, dismantling, piloting, video shoot, and other uses)
- 3D Printing (manufacturing prototypes from deductive to addictive with zero wastage)
- Artificial Intelligence technologies (with VRs and artificial screens to expose kids to AI)
- Artificial Intelligence products (kids build usable AI products with Plug and Play system)
- Digital Encyclopedia (a collection of digitally available resources)
- Language Juggler (handling text and speech from physical to digital medium)
They have designed a special place called “Makers Room” for Innovation and Incubators. It is facilitated with tools and product sets for learning, making, exploring new designs and innovating. They can be arranged at the schools or shared by group of schools. Maker room curriculum is designed to ensure skill development and technical ability to qualify for a job or promote enterprise.
Product sets are of those products that
- Use A.I./E.T. technologies
- Have a real life use and
- Carry market prices much higher than the set cost
This “no cost learning opportunity” is designed to reach every income group and the believe every school – teacher – parent can adapt to it. And they also learn – the profit on sale or saving by making rather than buying..!
NBG also believes in gaining Confidence with Character by teaching Music, Dancing, Drawing, Debates, Sports, Yoga, Skating and cultivating general reading habits as a part of Holistic Education. Along with the school knowledge and information, they also work on keeping kids grounded to their Cultural values by knowing the historical stories of their origin. This helps kids to always remember their roots and at the same time advance themselves the emerging technologies.
Lastly, they have also worked on creating competitive platforms to teach healthy sporting competitions that builds skills like, critical thinking, problem solving and group learning. They regularly organize Science innovation contests. The experiments made in these contest are never part of any school textbooks. They are fully designed and prototyped by students. Currently, they are planning for pre-2021 contest at Morbi, Gujarat to accommodate over 150 teams and 600 students.
This everyday changing world offers a million opportunities to those who are seeking it out there. Narmada Bal Ghar provides the necessary vision to look out for those opportunity and help kids gain the required set of skills to turn those opportunities into a chance to change the life, society and the future of the design industry by providing a new way of education with Experiential Learning.
Edited by – Jesal Patel
