Anveshana is an education research project to understand the impact of research as a pedagogy and its impact on developing student competencies and attitudes toward science. It is a program that has originated from a lot of experiments and thought processes that have been put in by the leadership group, advisory committee members, and researchers at Prayoga. The goal is to encourage these students to pursue a research project or innovation in such a way that their knowledge is improved in the particular area, both experimentally and theoretically. This can bring the students to a level where they can compete with researchers at much higher levels.
Our goals are the following:
1. To engage school students in advanced scientific research projects. Through project-based learning, we hope to improve students' experimental skills, their learning and comprehension, and a few essential life skills.
2. To introduce underrepresented students from rural backgrounds to the world of scientific research and expose them to modern scientific instruments and techniques. We aim to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute meaningfully to scientific and technological progress.
3. To develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. We aim to foster a culture of curiosity-driven exploration and innovation among school children.
4. Cultivate a generation of students who actively contribute to the scientific community and drive progress in diverse fields.
The research mentors at Prayoga offer multiple projects on the following areas: Green Chemistry and Technologies, Advanced and Functional Materials, Earth Sciences, Wellness, Food and Agriculture, and Theoretical Sciences. Students apply for these projects based on their interests and they are selected after online or in-person interviews.
During the Anveshana program, the student participants get access to the following:
State-of-the-art research facilities and equipment
Exposure to real world research experiences
Research projects on contemporary concerns
Guidance from Prayoga’s research mentors
Opportunities to publish research in international, peer-reviewed journals
Before students start laboratory work, they attend courses on research methodologies and specific projects. They undergo a thorough safety training and are always supervised by the mentors. Upon completion of the project, students write theses on their research projects and present their findings in front of eminent scientists, teachers, and educationalists.
The education research team tracks the development of each student on a weekly basis. The topics include content knowledge, experimental skills, ability to learn new information, participation and engagement, Interaction with peers (collaboration), attitude, behaviour, discipline, persistence, writing abilities, and the ability to ask meaningful questions. Moreover, a pre-test and a post-test are also conducted to understand students' progress.
In 2021, the program "Anveshana" was inaugurated as an education research project to understand the impact of research as a pedagogy on the development of student competencies. Initially, we engaged 12 high school students from one school (Samvida, Bengaluru) and conducted a few projects. The transformations in these students were evident and Anveshana grew steadily over the years. Recommendations by eminent scientists, encouraging words by parents and teachers, and Prayoga's vast networking with several schools were the primary reasons behind Anveshana's rapid growth. In 2024 and 2025, the number of student participants were 28 and 50, respectively - a huge leap in just 3 years since its inception. In 2024, we received more than 100 applications, and the number increased to close to 300 in 2025. Each passing year, more and more students from rural areas are participating in the projects. They often come from underprivileged backgrounds, are first generation learners, and do not have access to proper lab facilities. Till 2024, all the participants were from Karnataka, a state in southern India, where Prayoga is located. However, this year students from the other states have also participated, making it a national level program.
We would be extremely happy if anyone wants to implement similar kinds of programs across the globe. Please refer to our website to know more about the "Anveshana" program offered by Prayoga: https://www.prayoga.org.in/anveshana.
To ensure a smooth functioning, we believe the following factors are essential.
1. A passion for science education and keen interest in its improvement
2. Laboratory facilities where the student researchers can perform their experiments
3. A group of passionate researchers to mentor the school students. We have observed that a group of 3-4 students is optimal for efficient functioning.
4. A few experienced scientists who could guide and motivate the young researchers.
5. Access to school students who could be potential participants
6. Funding to support the projects
Due to the basic nature of the requirements, we strongly believe that the program is scalable and can be implemented in other countries.
