HavenScience STEM Labs

A next gen makerspace targeting mainstream STEM education. Provides opportunities for students to gain exposure and move up in the world with the skills they learn as well as boost their chances of getting accepted into university or getting that job.

The world around us is constantly evolving and the new technologies we are creating are breaking barriers and advancing science but our methods of educating the next generation of torch bearers have remained mainly untouched - mindless lectures, piles of paper and elitism. 

I propose that hands on learning should become more mainstream and the true potential of learning and education can be unleashed. The HavenScience STEM lab aims to provide a safe space (haven) for students of all ages to explore and learn concepts in a hands on approach (conducting small projects and entering competitions) for any STEM subject from science to robotics or even coding. How does having a 'space' to be innovative make a difference? Think of 'Iron Man', 'Hiro' from Big Hero 6 and Lewis from 'Meet the Robinsons' what do they have in common besides being amazingly intelligent self directed learners who create cool inventions? They have their own space to work in. What comes with that space in HavenScience, is the maker culture, mentors and like minded friends that you can create cool projects with. Exposure to a community with similar interests will create the perfect environment for learning, debate and innovation.

The main point isn't to give them specific skills but to equip them with the skills to learn anything well as many of the jobs of the future haven't even been created yet. Personally I believe that this solution will help create the type of mindset and skill sets we need in our future workforce to sustain innovation.

By actively participating in the program, students from any background including disadvantaged ones will be exposed to a myriad of opportunities that can take a student from humble beginnings to another level. By entering competitions they can not only win scholarships but any experience is beneficial for students, who for any reason were not able to perform to the best of their abilities in their exams because this creates an opportunity for them to enter university with their achievements outside of school. Other venues students can venture into include science journalism, entrepreneurship, etc

Enforcing concepts through small side projects allows for a stronger understanding of the concept. After internalizing the concept the students are able to create links to other concepts through abstract thinking. This method has long been used by developers to learn new codes and practice their skills. It’s time to utilise it in STEM where hands on learning is starting to pick up. By giving the students a certain level of autonomy over their education, we are not forgoing the tried and tested ways of the education system but bringing back the spirit of science and innovation.

The kids that join the program should 'graduate' with their objectives met or similarly satisfied. The middle and low income students will benefit the most because this evens out the playing field for them. In most cases, opportunities for enrichment in STEM are given to a select few students who come from elite schools. I intend to partner the local schools to reach the students because this program should complement their school life not compete with it. 

Check number of partners against total number of schools in that district - Partner with all the local schools in a local district

Identify the main segments of the program and track their progress through consultations and reviewing their performance. - Have students graduate once they have come to the end of the program

Track their progress through their school reports - Improve their grades

Although we are not employing any technology per se in this solution, we are paving the way for students to learn to master these new technologies and maybe even advance them.

The main objective of the STEM lab is to help turn around the lives of the many students who are lost in the paper chase but know that they are capable of so much more. HavenScience aims to be a Haven for those who need it. 

The cost of joining the program will never be solely borne by the student. Either through a combination of the school's efforts as well as subsidized rates, we hope that no one is restricted from joining due to financial reasons.

HavenScience will be sustained through:

1) students joining the lab (membership)

2) conducting external workshops for schools, organizations, etc

3) small percentage of the profits of associated partners working in the HavenScience STEM Lab space ( co-working space rent/ collaborators)

The factors limiting the ability of the solution to succeed are:

1) Poor co-operation from schools

2) Low cohort intake

3) Poor marketing 

I hope to be able to bring my concept to life with the guidance of mentors in a streamlined way as I unfortunately have no formal background in business and I don't want to shortchange my idea by launching it without having the basics in place.

Infinite Engineers, Sciglo and Biotechin.asia