Under the STEM for Girls India initiative, IBM India and American India Foundation (AIF) have come together to train girl students from 88 government schools across 7 districts of Haryana in satellite, drone, and space technology, to empower them with advanced STEM skills that can help them pursue education and career in STEM. Together they organized a 3-day “PICO Satellite Event” at Kala Gram, Manimajara, Chandigarh from 15th -17th Aug 2022, where 40 girl students from various government schools in Haryana took part in a workshop that taught them to design, build and fly drones and launch satellites.

The grand finale of this event was held on 17th August 2022, where the students showcased the satellite and drone made by them. In a virtual address to the students, the Hon’ble Education Minister of Haryana, Sh. Kanwar Pal spoke about the immense potential of drone technology and congratulated the students for this feat. The event was attended by Shri Vivek Kalia, Additional Director, Department of Secondary Education, Haryana Panchkula, Mr Manoj Balachandran, Head – CSR, IBM India and South Asia, Lata Singh, Director – Regional Technology Leader, – North East and Bangladesh, IBM India and South Asia and Sanyukta Chaturvedi, Director, Digital Equalizer Program-AIF. Several parents, teachers, and education officials also attended the event.

Selected from a batch of 1460 girls, these 40 girls have gone through rigorous, in-depth training after a series of workshops and online exams. The data captured by these satellites made by the students, will be used by the Indian Research Council & Agriculture Research Center. The project was designed keeping the following objectives in mind:
● Students to learn more about satellites, drones, and space technology.
● To promote the aspiration for higher education in STEM subjects and space technology.
● To provide hands-on experience in assembling satellites and drones.
● To create awareness about STEM careers and develop confidence and problem-solving skills.

Quote from Manoj Balachandran, Head – CSR, IBM India & South Asia
“I congratulate the students for completing their training in developing PICO Satellites, Drone, and Space technology and enthralling us with the display of their work. These young girls have demonstrated their ability to apply technology to solve challenges faced by the communities around them. I am confident that this hands-on experience will inspire them to pursue a career in science and technology. This initiative also aligns with the vision of Haryana’s Chief Minister Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, to use technology like drones in farming, energy management, Disaster management, town planning etc for providing better citizen services. Our Stem for Girls Program intends to empower students with advanced STEM skills, create awareness about possibilities in science and technology, and encourage girls to pursue careers in STEM”.

Quote from Sanyukta Chaturvedi, Director, Digital Equalizer, AIF, & CEO, Digital Equalizer Foundation.
“Our world is witnessing an era of intense transformation in all areas, be it education, global trade and economy, technology, or society. There is an emergent need to focus on holistic development that equips young people, especially girls, to not only make meaningful contributions to the society but also prepare them for the vagaries that confront them in future. We are proud of the young girls who participated in the training and launched the satellites and drones today”.