Introduction of the Service-Learning Project:
This service learning project was carried out under SICSR IEEE SIGHT and WIE Groups in
order to work towards a few Sustainable development goals such as quality education, no
poverty and gender equality. SICSR IEEE joined hands with SAMPARC NGO to make this
initiative possible.
SAMPARC is an NGO for children which is working in the States of Maharashtra,
Rajasthan, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. SAMPARC is imparting its service since 30
years for child care, education and rehabilitation through Children’s Home, Education to
poor children through Community Education Support Program, Skill development to rural
school dropouts through Industrial Training Centre and Vocational Training Centre;
Schools, & Junior College with hostel facility for poor, rural & tribal students.
The service learning project involved teaching children of SAMPARC NGO.

This project was carried out by a group of 8 students of BCA SEM – IV from SICSR. We
taught the NGO children 4 subjects for 6 days a week. The children were between the age
groups 6 to 16+.

Description of the Service-Learning Project:

SICSR IEEE SIGHT and WIE SB AG (SBA11434) have been teaching children of
SAMPARC NGO from 14th March till 23rd April.
This initiative started from the year 2017 under the guidance of our respected branch head
Dr.Rajashree Jain, with the aim to cater towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals,
particularly on Diversity, Poverty and Education.
SAMPARC is an NGO which provides shelter, care, nutrition and quality education to
children from underprivileged backgrounds. The branches of this NGO are SAMPARC
Balgram Bhaje, SAMPARC Bal Asha Ghar, SAMPARC Balgram Poynad, SAMPARC
Balgram Jodhpur and SAMPARC Grameen Vidya Vikas Kendra Village Bhambarde.
The curriculum which had been covered this year included English,
Maths,EVS(Environmental Studies), Computer Applications and Soft Skills (Personality
Development). The topics being taught under these subjects had been designed to help the
students in their school exams and to upgrade their skills according to the current
requirements.
Our service learning group also encouraged and assisted the children to join IEEE WIE
Project Based Learning.
IEEE WIE Project Based Learning is an initiative by IEEE Women in Engineering Global
members to enrich the Project-Based Learning Approach in School Students and to enhance
the practical implication of cutting-edge technologies and how it relates to School
Curriculum. This was conducted from 3rd to 11th April 2021. In this way we tried to provide
international exposure to the children in order to enhance their education model.
In order to celebrate the success of the above initiatives, a valedictory session with the
SAMPARC NGOs had been carried out on the occasion of IEEE SIGHT Day.

Objectives of the Service-Learning Project:

1. To help the students develop by understanding and affinity towards education in
general and STEM Education in particular.
2. Promote STEM education
3. Broaden student’s mindset in terms of personal development and professional skills.
4. Learn technology for business development.
5. Update the students with current affairs and general knowledge.
6. To provide international exposure to students in their current education model through
IEEE WIE PBL.

Methodology of the Service-Learning Project:

The classes were divided in terms of age groups:
1. 6 – 9
2. 10 – 12
3. 13 – 15
4. 16+
Therefore everyday 4 classes were conducted. Each of the age groups were taught by 2
students each from our service learning team. Each of the 2 students taught a particular
subject.

For Soft Skills (Personality Development) and English, the learning approach was activity
based learning. We aimed for developing both, personal and professional skills such as
problem solving; taking responsibility; public speaking with confidence; self-control and
power of patience; design thinking; improving reading, speaking and writing skills;
Improving grammar; women empowerment; film making; taught values like respect, honesty,
forgiveness and many more.
The students were taught moral values through animated stories, real life advertisements and
motivational videos. The values were as follows: Honesty, Forgiveness, Team work,
Respecting all, equality, freedom, helping mentality, reducing anger and so on.
For Mathematics, Concepts were first taught to them through PPTs. In the case of 6-9
years old, they learnt through videos and then a fun game time consisting of question-
and-answer sessions made students learn concepts in a playful manner. At the end of the
week, I.e., on each Saturday students were evaluated to test their knowledge gained.

In computer applications students were taught basics of computers, hardware and software ,
input and output devices, email communication, netiquettes, internet, www and web browser,
Microsoft word, excel, power point, google form, Google docs, Google sheets, Google slides,
and were also encouraged to participate in IEEE WIE Project Based Learning Camp where
they learn without coding website building.

For EVS, concepts were first taught to them through PPTs and relatable videos followed by a
question-and-answer session where both of us and the students asked each other regarding
what was taught. At the end of the week, i.e., on each Saturday students were evaluated to
test their knowledge gained. The students of age 6-9 were taught basics of Environment,3Rs,
water conservation, food cycle, water cycle, disasters and actions to take, hygiene. For those
of age 10-16, we went into further details in those topics and also introduced them to the
concepts like food habits of organisms, disaster management and the basics of first aid.

All the above content was divided as per the age groups .We taught these topics to them
through presentations.At the end of each presentation a Q&A session was conducted to clear
doubts. Then supporting videos were shown for better understanding of the topics. This was
followed by live demo/practical implementation so that later they could practice on their own.
At the end of the week, i.e., on each Saturday, students were evaluated to test the knowledge
gained.

Learning Outcomes of the Service-Learning Project:
This service learning project was a great learning opportunity. Teaching children was the core
skill we acquired. As their teacher we learned better communication skills, presentation
skills, time management and punctuality. We learned to adapt to different situations and
challenges faced in online classrooms. We increasingly became understanding and
empathetic towards the children as we got to know them more. We learned how to manage a
classroom, establish a routine, and make strong connections with the children and our peers.
Teaching the various topics to the children we realized that our own knowledge and skills on
those topics got stronger.

Implications of the Service-Learning Project:

This service learning project made us appreciate and better understand how our teachers work
tirelessly to impart us education. Especially during these challenging times of the pandemic.
We realized our privileges and learned how we can use them to help the less privileged
children. We understood the societal divides and it made us work harder for these children.
This project made us more compassionate and has motivated us to work for the society and
the ones who need our help the most.

Obstacles/Impediment while working on the Service-Learning Project:

The obstacles which we faced and were thankfully able to overcome and adapt were language
barrier, internet connectivity, and other technical issues.

Suggestions:
● Next time our initiative should be to help the NGOs set up proper internet connections
as most of these NGOs are situated in rural areas.
● It is inconvenient for children to learn from mobile phones so we should help the
NGos to set up computers for better learning experience.