Interview with Ms. Deepti Sharma, Director, Thinkerplace

Education in India is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by the integration of technology into classrooms and the emergence of innovative EdTech platforms. With a comprehensive range of S.T.E.M-based Educational DIY toys, ThinkerPlace has made significant strides in promoting hands-on learning and fostering a deep understanding of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics among young minds.

In a recent milestone achievement, ThinkerPlace has successfully partnered with Padhega Bharat and made its presence felt on the national stage through JioTv. This collaboration aims to spread awareness about the importance of S.T.E.M education, its numerous benefits, and the promising opportunities it offers to future generations. By harnessing the power of technology and play, ThinkerPlace is empowering students to explore, create, and cultivate essential skills that will shape their bright future.

In this exclusive interview, we delve into the vision, journey, and impact of ThinkerPlace as they continue to shape the landscape of education in India. We have the privilege of speaking with Ms. Deepti Sharma, Director, Thinkerplace, to gain insights into their approach to learning and their commitment to fostering a generation of innovators and problem solvers.

Let’s explore the fascinating world of S.T.E.M-based education with ThinkerPlace, and discover how they are redefining the learning experience for children nationwide.

1. What inspired you to start ThinkerPlace and focus on S.T.E.M-based learning through educational toys?

We identified an issue that is very common among children. They find STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects very difficult as they don’t have the proper means to apply these concepts in real life. To bridge this gap, we came up with ThinkerPlace which helps kids apply their theoretical knowledge in real-life.

We started in 2020, also popularly known as the lockdown era where kids had no access to practical learning. It was the perfect time to introduce educational toys to kids.

ThinkerPlace aims to create a dynamic STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) world for kids. We make educational STEM DIY Toys that introduce various futuristic skills to them like robotics, coding, automation, IoT, and more. We want to be the first point of contact for children and parents when it comes to the introduction of S.T.E.M and its infinite possibilities through our DIY educational toys.

2. Could you explain the process your R&D team goes through to design and develop your STEM-based DIY kits?

Our R&D team follows a rigorous process to design and develop our STEM-based DIY kits. We begin by identifying the learning objectives like developing crucial skills such as critical thinking, and problem-solving skills etc.

We brainstorm ideas for the activities and projects that will help children meet those objectives. We also include STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) concepts in toys so that kids can apply their theoretical knowledge to real-life situations.

Through DIY toys, kids not only build their projects but also implement their knowledge in real-life. We then create a prototype and test it with children to ensure that it is engaging and effective. Once we have a finalized product, we conduct further testing to ensure that it is safe and age-appropriate.

3. With the rise of technology and automation in various industries, how important do you think it is for children to have an understanding of concepts like robotics, artificial intelligence, and automation?

We believe that it is essential for children to have an understanding of concepts like robotics, artificial intelligence, and automation, as these fields are rapidly growing and will play a crucial role in shaping their future.

These skills are some of the most in-demand skills that have a lot of scope in the future. By exposing children to these concepts at a young age, we can help prepare them for the changing job market and provide them with the skills they need to succeed in the digital age.

4. What steps do you take to ensure that your educational toys and DIY kits are age-appropriate and safe for children to use?

We take safety very seriously at ThinkerPlace, and all our products go through rigorous testing and quality checks to ensure that they meet safety standards. We also make sure that our products are age-appropriate by testing them with children in the target age range and adjusting them accordingly based on their feedback.

5. How do you measure the effectiveness of your products in terms of developing problem-solving skills and encouraging solution-based learning in children?

We measure the effectiveness of our products by conducting surveys and collecting feedback from parents and educators. We also monitor how children engage with our products and observe how they use problem-solving skills to complete the activities and projects.

6. Do you have any plans to expand your product range beyond STEM-based educational toys? If yes, could you provide us with some insights into what we can expect in the future?

While STEM education will always be at the core of what we do, we are constantly exploring new areas of learning that we can incorporate into our DIY toys. We are currently brainstorming on expanding our range of toys that include coding, robotics, artificial intelligence, IoT, etc.

7. In your opinion, what role can parents and educators play in encouraging children to take an interest in STEM-based learning and helping them develop relevant skills?

Parents and educators play a fundamental role in encouraging children to take an interest in STEM-based learning. By providing children with opportunities to explore and experiment with STEM concepts, they can help develop their curiosity and problem-solving skills. Parents and educators can also help children see the real-world applications of STEM concepts and show them how they can use these skills to make a positive impact in their communities and the world.

8. How do you see the future of STEM-based education evolving in India, and what role do you think ThinkerPlace can play in shaping this future?

STEM education is becoming increasingly important in India, as the country seeks to become a leader in technology and innovation. We believe that there is a growing awareness of the need for STEM education, and we expect to see more schools and parents prioritizing this type of learning in the coming years.

ThinkerPlace can play an important role in shaping the future of STEM-based education in India by creating high-quality products that are accessible to all children. We are committed to working closely with schools and educators to ensure that our products align with their curriculum and learning objectives, and we are constantly looking for ways to improve and innovate our products to meet the changing needs of students and educators.

We believe that by providing children with engaging and effective STEM learning experiences, we can help prepare them for success in the digital age and contribute to the growth and development of India’s innovation ecosystem.