Dow India Inaugurates STEM Center in Lote, with Partner, Agastya

  • 3000 square feet facility for 50 schools, 5000 students and 100+ teachers every year
  • For sparking curiosity, nurturing creativity, and building confidence among children.
  • In line with New Education Policy, the center will train students and teachers in design thinking and innovation through experiential learning

Mumbai, April 6, 2021: Dow India recently inaugurated a science centre with mini-innovation hub at an educational premise of Jijamata Shikshan Prasarak Mandal in Lote, Ratnagiri district. The objective is to increase science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) literacy and prepare tomorrow’s workforce to develop innovative solutions. This centre will enable students to learn the process of design thinking which will include ideation and prototype development.

The facility has been created via its marquee corporate social responsibility (CSR) partner Agastya International Foundation and Freedom For You. Every year, it will aim to benefit 5,000 students spread across more than 50 schools. It will also provide training for more than 100 teachers and become a hub for science fairs and competitions in the region.

Dow India CEO and Country President Chandrakant Nayak inaugurated the facility recently. He commented, “It is essential to encourage curiosity, aid adoption of technology and multi-disciplinary learning experience for facilitators, teachers and students. As a Company, we are committed to help build the workforce of tomorrow by getting students excited about STEM subjects and supporting our educators. Engaging our employees and volunteerism is a vital part of that strategy and the center’s success.”

The center will also act as a training center for teachers. It will train more than 100 teachers on the importance of experiential learning which is aligned to the New Education Policy (NEP).

Spread over 3,000 square feet, the center will provide students with enriched and evolved learning. It will be equipped with more than 200 scientific models, chemicals, glassware and even modern tools and instruments like a 3D printer. It will act as a learning space where schools from Khed and Chiplun Taluka will be invited to participate in hands-on experiential learning, which is aligned to their curriculum, whereby students will go through a series of sessions focused on design thinking processes.

About Dow India
Dow Chemical International Private Limited (Dow India) aims to be the most innovative, sustainable, inclusive customer-centric materials science company. The company is committed to delivering the right solutions to its customers’ challenges every day. With broadest technology sets spanning performance materials, industrial intermediates, and plastics Dow India delivers differentiated science-based products and solutions in high-growth segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, and consumer care.

With approximately 1000 employees, its operations are spread over seven locations in the country, including three manufacturing sites, three established Centers of Excellence, and one commercial office. As a responsible corporate, the company supports its Corporate Social Responsibility (program) with technology expertise and employee volunteerism. Dow India works with non-profit partners towards the empowerment of differently abled, women, and children in communities where it operates. The company aims to redefine the societal blueprint, by supporting holistic sustainability and circular economy initiatives.

About Agastya International Foundation
Agastya International Foundation is well known organization in the field of innovative and hands on science education. It is an Indian education trust and non-profit organization based in Bangalore, India whose mission is to spark curiosity, nurture creativity and build confidence among economically disadvantaged children and teachers in India. Agastya runs hands-on science and art education programs in rural, semi-urban and urban regions across 19 Indian states.

Freedom For You
Freedom For You is a non-for-profit organization based in Mumbai engaged in social, educational, environmental initiatives, health & wellness programs, relief and rehabilitation during disasters for the empowerment & community enrichment in rural, peri-urban and slums areas.

For further information, please contact:

Ajay Nair
anair9@dow.com

Kamakshi Iyer
kamakshi.iyer@astrum.in