Teen innovator Shobhini revolutionizes STEM education and menstrual health in India

STEM education
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Shobhini, a 16-year-old innovator and educator from India, has garnered recognition for her significant contributions to advancing STEM education and promoting sustainable menstrual health management through the Swasthina Foundation. 

Driven by a passion for scientific exploration and social impact, Shobhini’s initiatives highlight her dedication and innovative approach to solving real-world problems. 

Advancement of STEM Education 

Shobhini launched “Telescoping the Stars,” a program aimed at fostering interest in astrophysics and STEM disciplines among students aged 13 to 17. Through workshops held in SOS villages and government schools across Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, she engaged over 273 students. Impressively, 30% of participants chose to pursue science in grade 11, a notable rise from the previous average of 10%. 

Key Achievements: 

– Designed an affordable telescope with 87x magnification to stimulate scientific curiosity. 

– Her impactful contributions to STEM education have been acknowledged by notable educational and political figures, including Jarnail Singh and Syed Shahnawaz Hussain. She has also been honored with the GenZ and Millennial Change Makers Award and nominated for the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar. 

Leadership in Menstrual Health Advocacy 

As the founder of Swasthina, Shobhini has been a leading advocate for sustainable menstrual health solutions. Collaborating with the Laadli Foundation, she developed environmentally sustainable incinerators and menstrual pad vending machines for government schools, benefiting over 5,000 girls and significantly reducing menstrual health-related school dropouts. Her modified incinerators have been adopted by the supplier of vending machines to the Government of Rajasthan under the Laadli scheme, earning her an appreciation letter from the Minister of Health of Himachal Pradesh. 

Future Endeavors 

Currently interning at the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences in Bengaluru, Shobhini is continuing her research on astrophysical sources of gravitational waves and black hole merger dynamics. Her involvement in initiatives like ‘Girls in Space’ further emphasizes her commitment to promoting gender equality in STEM fields. 

Read More: https://educationviewindia.com/

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