Asha Marwaha

Experience

1. Global Social Impact Fellow

   Creative Inquiry Lehigh University

   Jan 2024 — Present · IN

   Project Description: The Agastya International Foundation\'s mission is to spark curiosity, nurture creativity, and instill confidence through hands-on experiential learning among underprivileged children and government school teachers. Its programs have empowered K-12 teachers and over 25 million children. Agastya operates 200+ Mobile Science Labs that bring hands-on science learning to children who might not otherwise have access to it. The Mobile Science Labs reach remote schools by vans loaded with science models and experiments. New to the GSIF in 2024, this project will focus on understanding the current state of Mobile Science Labs and then reimagining future iterations of these educational innovations with more hands-on science, fun technology, and practical sustainability education.The aspirations of this project, which are likely to evolve, are threefold:1. Enhancing Accessibility: The team will focus on improving the mobility, accessibility, and reach of these initiatives. They will seek innovative ways to overcome geographical and logistical barriers, ensuring that science education can extend even further into the remotest areas of India.2. Enhancing Educational Impact: The project aims to develop educational content and hands-on experiments that are even more engaging and effective. This includes modernizing the curriculum to reflect the latest developments in science and technology, making learning not only accessible but also relevant to the digital age. For example, how might we integrate Extended Reality (AR/VR/MR) interfaces and Artificial Intelligence into these programs?3. Community Engagement: In addition to reaching students, the project will work on strategies to more actively engage adult community members. By showcasing everyday scientific concepts, the team will strive to foster scientific thinking in the broader community, reinforcing the value of science and technology education and making evidence-based decisions.