The term STEM is featured in most education policies, curriculum, skill sets, and employment & workforce strategies. However, what efforts do we see in the inclusion of this crucial part of learning is the main question we need to reflect upon.
As per the National Science Foundation, it is predicted that 80% of the jobs created in the next decade will require some form of math and science skills. The traditional education system that runs on an examination approach limits students to explore innovation, creativity, and problem-solving capabilities. But STEM education in action bridges this gap. Hence, crucial to be a part of the curriculum at every level of education.
There are various STEM learning kits available to cater to the needs of students of all ages and classes. If you ever see small kids playing around with STEM toys, you’ll end up believing that kids are born engineers. STEM toys and learning kits facilitate experiential learning that enriches children with hands-on experience and learning all together.
As per Research and Market’s Report on STEM Toy Market 2020-2024, “The science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) toys market is poised to grow by $473.78 million during 2020-2024 progressing at a CAGR of 2% during the forecast period. This study identifies the introduction of subscription services for STEM toys as one of the prime reasons driving the STEM toys market growth during the next few years. Also, the growing popularity of coding robot toys and rising application of AI in STEM toys will lead to sizable demand in the market.”
Also, initiatives like Atal Innovation Mission and the concept of Atal Tinkering Labs are encouraging startups to come up with innovative STEM-based learning kits and toys.
Some of our homegrown key players from the industry are listed below:
1. Smartivity Labs
This Delhi-based company was launched in 2015 by Tushar A Amin and IIT-Delhi alumni Apoorv Gupta, Rajat Jain, and Ashwini Kumar. The company design, develop and sell STEM toys for children between the age group 3 to 14 years old. Their portfolio includes physical STEM educational do-it-yourself kits, and toys and activities. Some of their products integrate cutting-edge technologies like augmented reality (AR), offering AR-enabled colouring sets and jigsaw puzzles. Inc42 reports that the company’s revenue grew from INR 65,000 in 2015-16 to INR 20 Cr in 2018-19. Also, The innovative startup was part of the Inc42’s 42Next list in 2018.
2. Robotix Learning Solutions
Robotix Learning Solutions was found in 2009 by AS Ramana Prasad. It offers robotics education for kids through an interdisciplinary approach, where STEM teaching happens in an interesting and innovative manner. Kids and teens build valuable S.T.E.M skills and 21st-century skills through a personalized and interactive learning experience. Students experience learning from world-class products and tools from MIT, USA, and other places like Korea, Japan, and Europe. Programmes like Coding, Robotics, App development, and DIY activities will inspire kids to be inventors and creators and to develop 21st-century skills. The firm has also developed three robots – Phiro, Taco Playbits, and Taco Robobricks – to help children learn to code and enhance their STEM skills with ease.
3. Avishkaar
Started in 2008 by Tarun Bhalla and Pooja Goyal, Avishkaar aims to make children understand tech and science concepts in an effective and engaging way. It is a comprehensive platform to teach and learn 21st-century skills like Coding, Robotics, AI, IoT, 3D printing, and Drones for children aged between 5 and 16 years. The platform includes award-winning robotics kits like Tweak – an educational robotics kit for children aged 5+ years that acts as a jumpstart to robotics, E Series – a DIY robotics kit series that has been designed specifically for children aged 12+ years, and Maker Board – an easy-to-use electronics platform through which children (aged 10+ years) can create fun, intuitive, and innovative projects. The company is based out of Delhi.
4. Evive
Evive simplifies learning, skill development, and project making in the field of STEM. Their device is designed to help students and tech enthusiasts learn, build, and debug robotics; embed systems, and other projects. The device is coupled with an online learning centre, aimed at providing an enriched Do-It-Yourself experience for tech enthusiasts of all age groups. The Core of the device is made of Arduino MEGA 2560. It also comes with a re-programmable menu-based visual interface with built-in functions. Also, the device is safe against reverse polarity, overcurrent, and overvoltage.
5. STEMRobo
Anurag Gupta and Rajiv Tiwari are the men behind this innovative startup. Based out of Delhi, it was found in the year 2015. STEMRobo focuses on designing and making innovative electronic devices, software, and methodologies around STEM Robotics for India’s K-12 segment. They offer project-based learning solutions and models that deal with learning around STEM & robotics. STEMRobo’s solutions are a combination of hardware kits (10 kinds of DIY models for different age groups), software, content, and services (online and campus training for kits via STEMRobo certified trainers).
6. Box Of Science
With an aim of making science concepts simple and easy to understand, they manufacture DIY STEAM kits available at affordable prices. From Physics to Chemistry to Robotics, Box of Science has a varied range that comprises 70 kits for around 200 activities. The 000kits come with manuals that contain notes. Some of the other kits available include making a remote-controlled Mars Rover model, explaining concepts of atoms and molecules through ball and socket joint models, making of a model of Chandrayan, robot making, etc.
7. Funvention
This Pune based company manufactures STEAM learning kits. The company started in 2017 and offers a wide variety of DIY 3D models, science toys, puzzles, robots, fidgets, and more! Their hands-on Kit provides an active way of learning Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.
Keep the list growing in the comments section below!
