Science on Wheels: Transforming Education with Agastya's Mobile Science Labs
Education is not a privilege; it's a right. However, many lower-economic communities lack the proper resources, making quality education a privilege. Mobile Science Labs (MSLs) provide lower-income communities with hands-on learning activities to further develop their understanding of scientific concepts. MSLs have emerged as a powerful tool in addressing the sustainability and scalability of science education in underserved communities. This case study presents a comprehensive analysis of the MSLs implemented by Agastya International Foundation in rural and urban areas of India. This study draws on previous case studies, qualitative and quantitative research, and programmatic data to examine the innovative strategies employed by Agastya to deliver hands-on science education directly to government school students. Furthermore, the paper evaluates the effectiveness of MSLs in enhancing student engagement, improving academic outcomes, and fostering socio-economic development in the target communities. It explores the challenges and opportunities encountered during the deployment of MSLs and offers insights into the scalability and sustainability of this model for science education interventions worldwide. Overall, this paper validates Agastya's MSLs and provides valuable insights for advancing educational impact and equity for students lacking access to academic resources.
Authors
- Eric Obeysekare
- A. Patel
- Khanjan Mehta
- Faatiha Kalam
- Natesh Appaya
- Shrishail Dhanawade
- Asha Marwaha
- Jahid Omar Hossain
- Angelina Penza
Institutions
- Lehigh University (US)
Publication Details
- Published
- 2024-10-23
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1109/ghtc62424.2024.10771510
- Primary Topic
- Mobile Learning in Education
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00