The IEEE Education Society Kerala Chapter, in collaboration with IEEE SIGHT Kerala Section and AMMACHI Labs, organized an offline coding camp titled “STEAM for Social Good 2023” for pre-university students (Classes 7 to 10). It was held at TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, from May 23 to May 28, 2023. The event was funded by IEEE TryEngineering with a STEM grant of $2000.

The primary goal of the camp was to equip students with foundational coding skills while cultivating awareness of sustainability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). The sessions were led by Prof. Gayathri Manikutty, a respected educator and expert in the field. Students received hands-on training using Micro:bit and Kittenbot platforms, allowing them to build innovative projects and explore the potential of technology. Beyond technical skills, participants engaged in interactive discussions and collaborative group work that deepened their understanding of sustainability and the role of technology in addressing global challenges.

Day 1

The training program began at 10 AM with an inaugural ceremony, where Prof. Gayathri Manikutty, Prof. Sunitha Beevi, and Mr. Anil M from IEEE EdSoc and Kerala Section SIGHT spoke about IEEE, the United Nations, and humanitarian technology. In the morning session, Prof. Gayathri introduced global challenges such as poverty, conflict, and lack of education, and explained the role of the UN and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The afternoon featured interactive games followed by a session on how technology can address global issues. Students were introduced to basic coding with support of trained IEEE student volunteers. Concepts like hexadecimal numbers and simple programming were also covered.

Day 2

On Day 2 of the STEAM for Social Good program, participants explored SDGs 7–12 through presentations, discussions, and case studies, gaining a deeper understanding of global challenges like clean energy, sustainable cities, and climate action. They engaged in group activities to brainstorm innovative solutions, fostering critical and collaborative thinking. In the afternoon, students were introduced to the Micro:Bit platform, learning about its components and using it for hands-on coding tasks involving LEDs, buttons, and motion detection. These activities also introduced key computational thinking concepts such as variables and conditionals. The day effectively connected sustainability themes with technology and problem-solving skills.

Day 3

On Day 3 of the STEAM for Social Good program, participants explored SDGs 13–17 and took part in the Makeshift Challenge—a hands-on activity that encouraged teams to solve real-world problems using limited resources, fostering creativity and innovation. In the afternoon, students learned how Micro:Bit devices communicate via radio signals, allowing for collaborative, wireless projects. Through guided exercises, they established communication links between devices, expanding their technical skills. The day emphasized the importance of teamwork, problem-solving, and effective communication in developing impactful solutions.

Day 4

Day 4 of the STEAM for Social Good workshop focused on practical learning through flowcharts, sustainable agriculture, and environmental monitoring. Participants learned to use flowcharts for visualizing processes and decision-making, enhancing their problem-solving abilities. They also explored efficient irrigation methods like drip and smart systems to promote sustainable farming. The day concluded with a hands-on activity to build an air quality monitoring system.

Day 5

Day 5 of STEAM for Social Good offered an engaging deep dive into STEM through hands-on workshops in sound sensing, robotics, and security systems. Participants built a basic noise detection circuit, explored sound wave properties, and discussed real-world applications like noise pollution monitoring. They also assembled and programmed a simple robot car and created an intruder detection system using motion sensors. The day sparked curiosity and confidence, reinforcing the power of experiential learning.

Day 6

Day 6 of STEAM for Social Good featured a Mock Makeathon (a dry-run), where participants applied STEAM concepts to tackle real-world challenges aligned with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Working in teams, they designed innovative solutions addressing issues like food waste, sustainable transport, and urban housing. Each team presented their ideas to a panel of judges, who assessed the projects based on feasibility, impact, scalability, and creativity, thus preparing students for the final Makeathon.

Final Makeathon

The six-day STEAM for Social Good training program culminated in an exciting one-day Makeathon, giving participants the opportunity to apply what they had learned in a practical setting. Held on July 9, 2023, at TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, the Makeathon brought together all the students who had undergone the training sessions in May.

The event was inaugurated by Mr. Satish Babu, Advisor to the IEEE Kerala Section SIGHT, and presided over by Prof. Muhammed Kasim S, Chair of the IEEE Kerala Section. During the Makeathon, participants were grouped into teams and challenged to develop solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). They worked specifically on problem statements related to SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 13 (Climate Action).

Throughout the day, the students brainstormed, designed, and built innovative and compact solutions to the problems presented. Each team showcased their work to a judging panel, which evaluated them on creativity, innovation, critical thinking, teamwork, understanding of the UNSDGs, and the functionality of their prototypes.

After thorough evaluation, the winners were announced:

• First Place: Naruto Boys from GHSS Koickal

• Second Place: Team Titans from TKM CPS and TKM HSS

• Third Place: Team Mechs from Amrita Vidyalayam and GHSS Mangad

All participants received certificates for successfully completing both the training program and the Makeathon.

STEAM for Social Good proved to be a unique initiative that encouraged pre-university students to engage with real-world issues and propose meaningful solutions. It not only introduced them to the power of technology for social impact but also helped sharpen their skills and boost their confidence as young problem-solvers. The collaboration between IEEE EdSoc Kerala Chapter, IEEE SIGHT Kerala Section, AMMACHI Labs, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and TKM College of Engineering ensured a rich and immersive learning experience for all K-12 students. “STEAM for Social Good” successfully ignited students’ passion for coding, sustainability, and social impact, inspiring them to become thoughtful innovators and problem-solvers of the future.