Need to promote online STEAM courses to improve student engagement: Prof Rakhi Chaturvedi

Shiksha.com caught up with Professor Rakhi Chaturvedi, Head of the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati, who is among the top 75 Indian Women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Applied Arts and Mathematics), to know what exactly STEAM education is and its importance in a student’s education. 

STEAM (earlier known as STEM) education is one of the most talked-about topics when it comes to education nowadays. It stands for science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics, but there is a lot more to know about STEAM education than just knowing its full form. Shiksha.com interviewed Professor Rakhi Chaturvedi, Head of the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati, who is among the top 75 Indian Women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Applied Arts and Mathematics), to know what exactly STEAM education is and its importance in a student’s education.  

Prof Rakhi is featured in the book titled: ‘She Is–Women in STEAM’ which honours 75 women celebrating gender, leadership, and sustainable development in the fields of STEAM. Below are the excerpts: 

Q. Many people are still confused between STEM and STEAM learning. Could you please tell us the difference between the two?

A. Both STEM and STEAM are still functional but controlled by two different organisations. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and the activities are coordinated by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). While STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Applied arts and Mathematics. It is the initiative of Red Dot foundation in partnership with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India. This group has more diversity with the inclusion of applied arts, it includes social workers.  

Q. Do you think it is important to attract more students to STEAM, particularly women?

A. Certainly. However, more online courses in STEAM education can be programmed to help those children who cannot travel to schools. Similarly, wide publicity of existing online courses in STEAM education available at different online platforms is needed to increase awareness on their availability. This will also help children to get mentored online and avoid spending money on coaching institutions.

Q. Do you think introducing STEAM learning at an early age will have an impact on a student’s life?

A. Introducing STEAM from nursery onwards and connecting it to day-to-day activities will really make a good impact on the life of students.

Q. How did you gain interest in STEAM? What challenges did you face during your journey?

A. I am a plant biotechnologist/agrobiotechnologist who is specialised in in vitro plant tissue culture and secondary metabolite production. My early education was in Hindi, but I graduated in English, for which I largely give credit to my father who used to teach me and siblings and deconstruct difficult concepts. Education was my way to independence. I felt blessed to have very strict teachers who moulded me for academic journey in the area of plant systems. I have high regards for my teachers. My mother, a strict parent, taught me cooking.

I remember when I was pursuing my PhD in Delhi, my father had a brain stroke. Since he had no one to look after him, I moved to Allahabad to supervise his recovery which was very slow. After a few weeks when he recovered partially, he was adamant that I would return to Delhi and complete my studies. He had been paying my fees and hostel accommodation out of his paltry retirement pension and he was keen I finish my doctorate. Reluctantly, I returned and immersed myself channelising my emotions into my studies.

Q. What is the area of your research interest?

A. My broad research area is plant biotechnology and specific area is plant cell tissue culture and agrobiotechnology/plant biotechnology.

Q. Are there any projects that you have worked upon related to your interest in STEAM?

A. Yes. I have contributed immensely to the research field of plant cell tissue culture and agrobiotechnology/plant biotechnology. I received recognition:

• Firstly, for my work on two complex tree species where I developed, for the first time, in vitro triploids (seedless) of neem, and haploids and doubled-haploids (homozygous diploid/pure) lines of neem and tea making them amenable for generating hybrid vigour (superior plants) in these tree species. The genetic improvement of these plants is very challenging and mostly impossible using the conventional methods that employ repeated selfing, which doesn’t work as these trees are mostly cross pollinating with long growth cycle. My group has filed two patents, (1) A method for in vitro production of haploids and doubled-haploids in Azadirachta indica A. Juss, (neem) and (2) A method for in vitro production of pure line doubled-haploids in Camellia ssp. (tea). 
• Secondly, for developing a process for the production of commercial compounds of medicinal value by employing in vitro plant cell culture technology as alternative and complimentary tools to whole plant extraction. Although these compounds can also be isolated from naturally grown whole plants, continued destruction of plants for the purpose may pose a major threat to plant species getting extinct and moreover some of the plants are endemic. 
• Thirdly, for creating sizeable cultivation of top quality banana, giloy and stevia plants (a natural sweetener), using in vitro micropropagation methods. The stevia plants with higher glycosides and disease-free banana plants are made available to the farmers, women and entrepreneurs as a source of earning by cultivating quality plantations.  

Q. What advice would you give to women who are planning to pursue careers in STEAM?

A. Own the work, enjoy it, give your best and that’s the only way to maintain the standard. Work is worship, respect the work- small or big, do the task with utmost sincerity and dedication, do not bother much about the outcome. No one can stop you until and unless you yourself want. Take a challenge, handle it professionally, do not mix-up emotions when you have to take crucial professional decisions. At the end of the day or frequently review the self and try not to repeat the mistake knowingly at least. Do not inculcate insecurities within, develop a positive aura around every single day and stay strong.

As women are prime pillars of the society, therefore, through STEM and STEAM units, women education is promoted. The leading women were made the part of these units to create a chain and network to promote education of women and change the perspective of society. Encourage women to take a challenge, think for the self, take a lead position irrespective of all odds. 

Q. What does the future hold for STEAM students?

A. STEAM covers almost all aspects of education and life and that’s the way of life and helps to make one stand tall with pride.

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