From STEM to STEAM: How Indian-American sisters are rethinking schooling in the Sundarbans
Two young Indian-American sisters are helping to reinvent education in one of India’s most remote regions, bringing science, technology, and learning opportunities to classrooms in the Sundarbans that once relied almost exclusively on boxes and textbooks.At Swapnopuron Shiksha Niketan in Hingalganj, a quiet but big change is taking place. Students are introduced to a new way of learning – one that encourages curiosity, experimentation, and ambition through technical and experiential learning. The change is being driven by a long-term partnership between the US-based youth-led non-profit organization With Our Hearts (WOH), and the Katakhali Swapnopuron Welfare Society, an Indian charity. WOH was founded by sisters Nisha Tara Saraiya and Nimisha Saraiya, along with co-founder Alexis.Jain, Andrew Jain, and Gavin Bender in 2020 with the goal of expanding access to higher education for underserved students around the world.From 2023, the US-based With Our Hearts will work with the school through underground chats and remote activities. Their efforts have helped the Society to get funding from Indian companies, enable the school to build permanent classrooms, set up a computer lab with internet access, provide laptops to teachers, introduce uniforms, and organize safe transportation through the school bus.In the remote areas of the Sundarbans, where classrooms were built on bamboo and educational opportunities were scarce, the project is helping to reimagine what rural education could look like. From creating standardized classrooms and digital infrastructure to introducing STEAM-based education, this effort aims to create opportunities that were previously unimaginable for many students in the region.“What we saw when we first visited the school in 2023 was a place that was trying to work with limited resources,” said NishaTara Saraiya, co-founder of With Our Hearts. But we also saw great potential in the students. It stayed with us. “His sister and co-founder, Nimisha Saraiya, said the organization focuses on creating a sustainable ecosystem rather than providing one-off services. “We have taken the time to understand what the school really needs, talking to teachers, parents, and students. The goal has always been to create a place where children don’t just go to school, but really learn and grow.”What is encouraging now is that we are continuing to make ends meet,” added Nisha. “It’s about depth — how students engage with learning, how they ask questions, and how they apply in the lab what they learn in the classroom.”This change is most evident in WOH’s recent actions with the school: from STEM to STEAM education. WOH is actively working with Swapnopuron to establish a dedicated STEAM center and science laboratory, which aims to create learning with the help of many activities.“At Swapnopuron Shiksha Niketan, our mission is to provide education that sparks interest and empowers students to solve problems,” said Secretary Satarupa Majumdar. believe that learning should go beyond books, that’s why we are collaborating with WOH to build a place where children can experiment and explore. “The planned integrated lab will conform to CBSE standards and provide laboratory equipment for science, chemistry, and biology. Students will be able to use scientific instruments, perform safety precautions, and study in detail natural species – opportunities not previously thought of in this area.Along with this, the STEAM lab is seen as a multifaceted space where science meets art. Students will work with electronic devices, learn to copy, and evaluate design concepts. Tools like 3D printers allow them to turn ideas into tangible models, making abstract concepts more easily understood.The project also includes an early exposure to robotics, where students learn to design, build and maintain simple machines. Teachers say that this hands-on approach helps develop problem-solving and teamwork skills, while making learning fun. “This kind of exposure builds confidence,” Majumdar said. “WOH aims to prepare students not only for exams, but also for future careers and opportunities.“With Our Hearts has also supported the development of education beyond infrastructure. During a recent visit in January, the WOH team worked closely with teachers to develop technology-integrated lessons for several subjects. Recently, the students created a digital visualization of the current, global situation (as AI has affected the past, present, and future) and then presented it to WOH at an online conference in April.However, problems still exist. Like many rural schools, SwapnopuronShiksha Niketan is facing declining enrollment in higher grades as students face financial and cultural barriers to continuing their education. Current efforts are focused on improving student retention through community outreach, mentoring, and extensive learning experiences.“We’re not just building classrooms; we’re building the future,” Majumdar said. “With the right support, these kids can dream big.”
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