Main Bhi Curie: Haryana schoolgirls learn secrets of science

As the afternoon bell signals the end of lunchtime at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) in Jalmana village of Haryana’s Panipat district, eager Class 8 students, part of the “Main Bhi Curie” programme, gather in their classroom, their eyes alight with curiosity.

Like explorers embarking on a journey into the unknown, they find their classroom adorned with an array of intriguing artefacts — colourful pebbles, a jar of sand, paper cups and scissors, all carefully arranged on a table. At the helm stands their 25-year-old teacher Mahima Rawal.

Mahima distributes three cups on each desk, alongside plastic straws, sand, pebbles and cotton.

“Today, we will unlock the mysteries of the water cycle. You explored its wonders yesterday, didn’t you?” she asked the students, and was met with a resounding chorus of “Yes, ma’am”.

In a choreographed symphony of learning, the students eagerly set up their experiment under Mahima’s watchful guidance. Three cups, poised at different heights, form the stage for their scientific exploration — one filled with pebbles, another with sand and the third with cotton. Straws extend between them, weaving a web of interconnectedness.

Excitedly, the children take turns pouring water into the pebble-filled cup, watching as it emerges clear on the other side. What may seem like a routine science experiment to some is an anticipated learning experience with their “Didi” teachers for these girls at KGBV — a testament to the transformative power of education.

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“I want to become a scientist,” declared Anshika, a determined student who only uses her first name. “Deborah ma’am from ‘Nature’ (a British journal) told me that I can study hard, earn a scholarship and even study in the USA if I excel and become a scientist. That’s my plan now,” she said.

Eager and curious

The “Main Bhi Curie” programme is a collaborative initiative between SwaTaleem Foundation and the Haryana government, designed to ignite a passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) among girls in KGBV schools.

Named after the esteemed physicist-chemist and Nobel laureate Marie Curie, the programme aims to nurture young dreams and challenge the boundaries of possibility.

Main Bhi Curie emerges as a guiding light in KGBVs — Union government-operated residential schools for girls from marginalised communities in remote regions, where educational resources are scarce and opportunities are few.

Through 26 diverse themes, the programme, now two years old, transcends the confines of traditional learning, addressing the intersection of science and gender with unwavering resolve. Each cycle concludes with a Science Gender Mela, where girls showcase their scientific models in villages and to government officials.

Vaibhav Kumar, the co-founder of SwaTaleem, emphasises the programme’s goal of encouraging girls to understand science and gender concepts and to ask important questions.

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“Main Bhi Curie aims to create a gender-equal society through science. We aim to remove their fear of science,” Kumar said.

Ankita Bisht, the programme manager, observes a significant transformation in the girls’ mindset and confidence levels. Initially hesitant to speak up, they now engage in discussions about sensitive topics like menstruation and reproduction in a supportive environment.

However, introducing such topics has also faced resistance from some parents, who deemed the discussions inappropriate. Mansi Singh, a 13-year-old student, shares her experience of educating her family about menstruation and its natural process. Over time, her family became more understanding and supportive, enabling open discussions about menstrual health.

Learn by heart

At the heart of this educational odyssey lies a dedicated cadre of local village women like Mahima, whose passion for teaching knows no bounds. Trained by SwaTaleem, these volunteers introduce unique science and gender modules, fostering critical thinking and addressing STEM gender disparities.

With each lesson, they sow the seeds of curiosity and critical thinking, empowering their students to question, explore and discover. But the journey is not without its challenges. In a landscape where access to science education remains a distant dream for many, SwaTaleem’s volunteers bridge the gap left by a shortage of dedicated educators.

“In Panipat district, there are no colleges offering an MSc programme (except in mathematics). Students interested in natural sciences must seek education in other districts or Delhi,” said school principal Gyani Ram.

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The programme’s impact reverberates far beyond the confines of the classroom. For Aashmeen Rawal, a 22-year-old volunteer teacher, the journey has been one of personal growth and resilience. Despite initial resistance from her conservative family, her involvement has garnered their support, enabling her to manage her own education while teaching the girls.

And for Mahima, whose own journey lacks the formal trappings of a science education, the programme has been a catalyst for personal transformation.

“We receive training before teaching, enhancing not only our teaching abilities but also nurturing our scientific mindset,” she explained. “Now, we approach information critically, no longer accepting misinformation readily, such as dubious claims circulated on social media,” she asserted.

In the heartland of Haryana, where tradition meets innovation, the seeds of change are sown, one classroom at a time. As the year progresses, the girls showcase their learning through innovative projects at the Science Gender Mela, a celebration of knowledge and empowerment. Parents stand in awe, witnessing the transformation unfolding before their eyes, as concepts once foreign become familiar, and dreams once distant become within reach.

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The lead image at the top shows a group of girl students showing a drawing illustrating the water cycle. (Photo by Unnati Sharma)

Unnati Sharma is a Village Square Fellow ’23. She works as a journalist, writer and translator.