PROJECT (GIFT) REPORT SUMMARY

In India, the underrepresentation of girl gender in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
streams due to socio-cultural and economic factors, the absence of women in technology and engineering fields,
also reflects in their absence at senior levels or in decision-making positions in the STEM fields, thus strengthening
the fact that STEM education is also critical in fostering 21st century skills such as analytical and conceptual thinking
and creative problem solving. Lately, the Government of India has initiated many systematic intervention schemes
such as Vigyan Jyoti, Inspire-MANAK, Atal Tinkering Labs, and Skill India to make way for innovations in STEM
education and in hope to change the education landscape in India, especially in terms of gender parity. Against the
background, how girls are often discouraged from pursuing careers in science and technology from school level itself,
how within their home and society, they are subjected to gendered norms in order to ensure greater presence of
women in STEM fields, it has to begin with affirmative action in school education for girls. In line with this objective,
Intel has collaborated with NITI Aayog, Government of India’s flagship program- Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and
support Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs) in India. Intel committed to help the national programme by creating
necessary and relevant content, frameworks, providing training to teachers, etc. It intended to nurture a systematic
approach towards tinkering and experimental sciences among girls from economically weaker and marginalized
sections of the society to promote technology based social innovation among them. Consequently, the ‘Girls
Innovate For Tomorrow’ (Intel GIFT) was launched in Delhi and NCR region. It is supported by Intel and facilitated by
NASSCOM Foundation with the help of implementation partner, Technomentis in Delhi and the NCR region. The
program aims to bring the do-it-yourself culture to the fore-front and encourage and motivate the girl students from
marginalized and economically weaker sections of the society to become solution providers, and get engaged in self-
learning which eventually may lead to discoveries, innovations and inventions. Through this initiative, it seeks to
encourage innovation and technological understanding in girls at a formative age. The geographical scope of the
programme included four schools in the Delhi and NCR region, namely:

1) Vidya and Child School, Barola Village, Sector-49, NOIDA

2) Kasturba Balika Vidyalaya, Ishwar Nagar, New Delhi
3) Rasta Public School, Khora Colony, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
4) Katha Lab School, 192, Kalkaji Extension, New Delhi
5) Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women

The five hackathons conducted at these schools engaged 741 students, out of which 186 students were selected for
the Technology Deep Dive Camps. Finally, 81 students were selected for mentoring to showcase their ideas/projects.
Every hackathon has two components: Ideathon followed by Technology Deep Dive sessions:
 Ideathon - Exchange of Innovative ideas, thinking frameworks by girls and inspirational stories of young
innovators across the country.
 Technology Deep Dive Sessions – Full day workshop focused on co-creating ideas in teams.

The staff of participating NGOs and school teachers played an important part in the mobilization of girls for this
programme. Since majority of the hackathons were conducted during the summer vacation period, the school
teachers kept motivating the girls to come every day for working on their respective ideas and projects.

The first hackathon was organized for young girls studying in classes 7 to 12 in Vidya and Child School, Barola Village,
Sector 49, Noida in April 2019. Vidya and Child School is a group of schools registered under Jayaprakash Narayan
Memorial Trust. Technomentis, NASSCOM Foundation’s mentoring partner in Intel GIFT project worked with NOIDA
students as a part of the Delhi NCR programme.

The second Hackathon was organized for the students in classes 7 to 12 in Kasturba Balika Vidyalaya, Ishwar Nagar,
New Delhi in April 2019. It is a girl’s Senior Secondary institution affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary
Education (CBSE) on provisional basis since 1965. The school has been operating officially under All India Harijan
Sewak Sangh.
The third Hackathon was organized for the students in classes 5 to 10 in Rasta Public School, Khora Colony,
Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The aim is to encourage innovation and technological understanding in girls at formative
ages. “Rasta” owes its origin to a group of socially conscious individuals, who were disturbed at the sight of children
of school going age, rummaging in garbage heaps or standing at traffic intersections with begging bowls. They got
together and deliberated upon the plight and potential of such children.

Fourth Hackathon was organised for the Young girls in classes 8 to 12 in Katha Lab School at 192, Kalkaji Main Rd,
New Delhi. The Katha Lab School began in 1990 as a learning centre in the slums of Govindpuri, Delhi. It has had a
huge impact on the lives of children living in Govindpuri’s 8-slums cluster where most children worked to support
their families. Through experimentation and relentless learning, Katha stabilized the integrated solution that has
created value for more than 100,000 children.

Fifth Hackathon was organised for the Young girls in classes 7 to 12 in Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for
Women. It is a women's university located in New Delhi, India on the heritage campus of Delhi College of Engineering
at Kashmiri Gate, Delhi. The aim is to encourage innovation and technological understanding in girls at formative
ages. In association with Protsahan India, we could mobilize various girl NGOs. NGO’s who participated in hackathon
5 :-
1. Action Beyond Help and Support (ABHAS)- ABHAS is a Delhi based NGO, registered as a public charitable
trust in October 2002.
2. World Vision India- It is one of the country’s largest child-focused humanitarian organisations. They employ
proven, effective development, public engagement and relief practices empowering vulnerable children
and communities living in contexts of poverty and injustice to become self-sufficient and bring lasting
change.
3. Protsahan India Foundation- It is a non-profit organisation established in 2010 working against Child Abuse
with a focus on adolescent girls in the underserved communities of India. Based on
their unique HEART Principle, they strive to break the inter-generational cycle of childhood abuse and
poverty with Healing, Education, Art, Recovery & Technology.
4. Udayan care- Udayan Care aims to bring sunshine into the lives of underserved sections of society that
require intervention. Udayan Care works to empower vulnerable children, women and youth, in 23 cities
across 13 states of India.
5. War Widows Association -WWA works for the welfare of the war affected families. They guide and advise
family members to become economically independent through skill training, legal and general awareness
programs.
6. YWCA of Delhi (Najafgarh, Trilokpuri)- It has been a hundred years since the YWCA of Delhi has established
itself firmly on the social sector map alongside other great institutions. The core values of YWCA of Delhi
such as emancipation of the scores of under privileged, economically weak and distressed people of society
of this institution have remained consistent over the past century.
7. NSS Hans raj-The National Service Scheme (NSS) unit of Hansraj College works in accordance with the ideals
of selfless service towards the society.
8. Mera Sahara(JWP)- Project Mera Sahara is one of the most successful endeavours undertaken by the
Joint Women’s Programme. The Centre provides schooling (upto class 5) and crèche facilities along
with running an adult literacy programme for young adults and women.

As is the case associated with such skills, it may be expected that the children will develop higher order
thinking skills along with future world skills. Eventually, Intel GIFT would instil the spirit of innovation and
interest in STEM education among young girls participating in this programme.