Abhay Bhutada Foundation Making STEM Learning Accessible to Young Minds
- Douglas D'Souza
- Sep 15
- 4 min read
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) form the backbone of modern skills. However, many students in India, particularly in rural and semi-urban schools, still lack exposure to practical learning tools. The Abhay Bhutada Foundation has taken up this challenge by distributing STEM kits and collaborating with innovative education programs, giving underprivileged students the chance to engage with science and mathematics in a hands-on manner.
Why STEM Exposure Matters
TL;DR: Despite the growing importance of technical skills, only about 30 percent of Indian
students pursue STEM subjects. Limited labs, outdated teaching methods and lack of real-world examples leave many dependent on rote learning. This gap restricts curiosity and innovation. By intervening with practical kits and structured programs, the Abhay Bhutada Foundation is helping bridge this gap and spark long-term interest in science.
India’s Demographic Advantage
India’s youth population will soon be the largest in the world. This demographic advantage can become a source of innovation and growth if children receive the right education now. Industries from robotics and renewable energy to healthcare and information technology require analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities. By bringing STEM education to underprivileged students, the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, established in 2023, is investing in skills that will be crucial in the coming decade.
Turning Theory into Hands-On Learning
The foundation’s STEM kit program is designed to make classroom lessons more interactive. By using experiments, models, and visual tools, students can understand difficult concepts with ease and develop confidence in their abilities. Teachers benefit from new ways of presenting lessons, making science and mathematics more engaging for every student in the class.
The Impact of STEM Kits
For many children, these kits represent their first encounter with practical science. They can handle microscopes, build simple models, and test their ideas on the spot. The Abhay Bhutada Foundation prioritises this approach because it creates curiosity, boosts motivation, and levels the playing field between rural and urban students.
Abhay Bhutada’s Educational Mission
Abhay Bhutada, founder and chairman of the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, envisions a future where every child has equal access to modern education. His focus on STEM reflects his belief in learning by doing, rather than memorising. By supporting practical science education, he is giving underprivileged students the skills to pursue higher studies, adapt to industry demands, and move beyond traditional limitations.
Strengthening Schools Through Teacher Support
The foundation does more than distribute kits. It works with schools and teachers to integrate STEM-based activities into regular classroom schedules. Abhay Bhutada also advocates for educational practices that prioritise hands-on learning, ensuring that each kit becomes part of a sustained change in how students experience science.
Partnering with LearnByDoing and Sakar Eduskills
The “LearnByDoing” initiative led by Sakar Eduskills is a major partner in this mission. More than 2,000 students across eight schools in Maharashtra’s Pune district have already benefitted from this program. The Abhay Bhutada Foundation provided vital support so these schools could receive STEM kits for the first time, turning classrooms into active learning spaces.
Goals of LearnByDoing
LearnByDoing simplifies science and mathematics by presenting them through experiments and activities. With support from the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, eight schools, Bursewadi, Kelgaon, Dhanore, Bahul, Thakarwadi, Bhose, Malegaon and Sangise have seen a transformation in student engagement and participation. The initiative ensures that even complex concepts become easy to understand and exciting to explore.
Bringing Change to Classrooms
Teachers in these schools report that students are now more eager to participate in lessons and discussions. One staff member from Kelgaon expressed appreciation to Abhay Bhutada and his foundation for making science easier to teach and learn. A class 7 student shared how they used the kit to study the human body and experiment with a periscope and microscope, creating a memorable first-time experience of seeing minute objects up close.
Inspiring Confidence and Curiosity
Early exposure to practical science can influence career paths, encourage consistent attendance and motivate parents to keep their children enrolled in government schools. The Abhay Bhutada Foundation is demonstrating that with the right tools, students in underserved areas can develop the same curiosity and skills as their peers in better-resourced schools.
Building Skills for the Future
STEM education does more than improve academic performance. It develops transferable skills like problem solving, critical thinking and teamwork. The Abhay Bhutada Foundation views every STEM kit as an investment in a future workforce that can innovate, adapt and contribute to India’s growth story. By supporting hands-on learning, the foundation is laying a foundation for lasting change in how young people approach science and mathematics.
Conclusion
STEM education is essential to create a capable and confident generation ready for future
challenges. Through its partnership with LearnByDoing and ongoing STEM kit donations, the Abhay Bhutada Foundation is making science and mathematics accessible and enjoyable for underprivileged students. Guided by Abhay Bhutada’s vision, the foundation is helping shape the next wave of thinkers, innovators and problem solvers who will build a stronger and more equitable India.
FAQs
1. How Does The Abhay Bhutada Foundation Promote Hands-On Stem Learning?
It supplies STEM kits and partners with initiatives like LearnByDoing to give underprivileged students practical science experiences.
2. What Is The Connection Between Sakar Eduskills And Abhay Bhutada’s Foundation?
Sakar Eduskills runs LearnByDoing while Abhay Bhutada and his foundation provide key support and resources to extend its reach.
3. How Many Students Have Gained From This Program So Far?
Over 2,000 students across eight Pune district schools have experienced hands-on learning thanks to the Abhay Bhutada Foundation’s backing.
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