We are currently undergoing an unprecedented worldwide pandemic, emphasizing the demand for additional STEM experts to manage healthcare and technological issues. One way that we at Unherd try to play our part to support STEM careers is by organizing unique Mentorships for high school students. One such Mentorship is our flagship initiative, STEMforce in partnership with US cloud-based software company, Salesforce.
Applications for STEMforce were invited from all over the country and 20 students from under-resourced communities were enrolled for an online three-week Mentorship that focused on promoting the interests of students in the fields of Science, Education, Technology, and Maths (STEM). Salesforce India team members volunteered their time to give back and mentor these 20 high-schoolers.
Through this initiative, students learned concepts of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), Financial Literacy and worked on an entrepreneurial idea that originated a unique business model. Students presented their business ideas to a panel of highly experienced and talented jury members. Here is a look at the student’s creative and thoughtful business models:
Group 1 focused on UN SDG 4: Quality Education and proposed to introduce value-based learning through sports, dance, and art. To implement this framework, they pitched a portal that would provide the schools with guidelines to implement value-based learning in their curriculums and thus, resulting in more engaged and responsible students!
Students of Group 2 worked on UN SDG 10: Reduced Inequality and with the help of their proposed NGO, Asha Kiran, aimed to create comfortable ecosystems for transgenders and women via workshops and career assistance.
UN SDG 5: Gender Equality, was the main focus for the third group and students pitched a company and website called Ally Space. A talent acquisition company which would provide jobs and other services to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Group 4 focused on UN SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and proposed the installation of LED Billboards for advertisements in order to reduce use of paper. With LED billboards, Ads can be placed/broadcasted multiple times at multiple locations which can be programmed and thus, managed efficiently.
Students in the last group emphasized on UN SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being with an aim to address mental health issues, especially as a result of the uncertainties imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. They pitched the idea of a mental health center to help people and guide them towards healthier lifestyles.
STEMforce students startled us all with these out-of-the-box business models. The jury members and mentors were elated because the business models highlighted how students focused specifically on each United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and came up with innovative and yet, practical solutions!
Pitch Day helped us all to believe that our future is bright!
