IIT Delhi inaugurates STEM mentorship programme for high school girls

The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (I Delhi) has recently launched its third batch of the STEM mentorship programme, a unique initiative designed to inspire high school girls in Classes 9 and 11 towards Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

This programme is part of IIT Delhi's efforts to encourage young women to explore and pursue careers in STEM fields.This year's programme saw more than 200 applications from students across Delhi government schools, Kendriya Vidyalaya Schools in the Delhi-NCR region, and private schools, with 100 talented candidates ultimately selected for participation. The programme is structured in three phases, starting with a summer phase that includes a 9-day workshop from May 14 to May 24. This initial phase offers participants extensive exposure to STEM through expert lectures, laboratory demonstrations, and hands-on problem-solving sessions. Additionally, a Maker Space workshop at IIT Delhi will allow students to engage in DIY projects for practical experience.

Following the summer phase, the programme will continue with the "At the school" phase from July to November 2024, featuring the Sci-Tech Spins lecture series. These monthly Saturday sessions aim to further enrich the students' learning experience through interactive sessions with IIT Delhi students. The mentorship journey will conclude with the winter phase in January 2025, which includes lectures on leadership in STEM, entrepreneurship, and interactions with successful IIT Delhi alumni.
The initiative, under the Office of Academic Outreach and New Initiatives at IIT Delhi, has already seen the successful completion of its first two batches, with the first cohort of 10 girls launched in December 2021 and the second batch of 32 schoolgirls completing the programme in June 2023.

Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi, emphasized the programme's goal to enhance gender balance within the institute and the broader STEM community. "This workshop provides an opportunity for women students to explore opportunities in STEM and make informed career choices based on their interests and passion," he stated, highlighting the programme's role in empowering young women to become future leaders in STEM disciplines.

This mentorship programme not only offers an educational journey into the world of STEM but also aims to create a supportive and nurturing environment for young women to discover their potential and explore exciting career opportunities in fields traditionally dominated by men.