Young Innovators STEM Lab: Empowering Future Partners to the USA - Iusstf
Through the American Spaces network, we are training the next generation of tech leaders via a pan-India initiative across five consular jurisdictions—New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata—with specialized expertise in the transformative fields of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR).
Objectives and Methodology
- Skill Proficiency: Developing critical thinking and high-level technical competencies aligned with global innovation standards.
- The Startup Studio Model: An immersive "Learning by Doing" environment where 50–70% of the program is dedicated to hands-on project development.
- Stanford Design Thinking: Utilizing the d.school framework to guide students from user empathy to rapid prototyping for real-world impact.
- Professional Ecosystem: Cross-functional teams simulate a modern tech workspace using industry-standard tools like Meta Quest and GitHub.
- Startup Pitch: A high-stakes, 2-minute pitch where students demonstrate the technical and creative viability of their prototypes.
Innovation Lab: 8-Hour Immersive Curriculum
Focus: Critical and Emerging Technologies (CETs) & AR/VR Development
1. Foundations of Immersive Tech
- Evolution of VR: Tracing the journey from sci-fi concepts to Silicon Valley milestones.
- Core Principles: Understanding the transformative potential of AR/VR across global industries.
2. Development & Coding
- WebXR for the Open Web: Building scalable AR/VR applications for web browsers.
- Hands-on Coding: Practical sessions using A-Frame to deploy immersive experiences.
3. The Stanford Design Thinking
- Empathize & Define: Identifying real-world problems and crafting focused solutions.
- Prototype & Test: Building and refining functional AR/VR mockups in a team environment.
4. Future Pathways
- Global Trends: Exploring career growth in the immersive tech ecosystem.
- Community: Connecting students to hackathons and professional tech networks.
The Young Innovators STEM Lab (YISL) is currently on tour across India. The schedule is as follows:
Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies, Nuzvid (RGUKT- IIIT)
SRM University-AP, Vijayawada
DAV Public School Unit 8, Bhubaneshwar
KIIT University, Bhubaneshwar
Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT)
Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT)
SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai
Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai.
American Center, New Delhi (Kick Off Event)
Become a Venue Partner
We are looking for visionary educational institutes to host YISL workshops. By partnering with the U.S. Consulate and IUSSTF, your institute becomes a hub for international innovation.
Partner Requirements:
-
Capacity for 225–250 participants.
-
High-speed Wi-Fi and power infrastructure for 200+ laptops.
-
Catering support for a full-day event.
-
A commitment to fostering STEM excellence.
Contact Information
Ms. Priya Thomas
Senior Program Officer
Paras Deshmukh
STEAM Varsity