After decades, Bengal will once again be the incubatory of talents in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Kolkata-based Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search (JBNSTS), an autonomous institute of non-formal science education, has launched a novel initiative that will bring about a paradigm shift in STEM education for 'gifted minds'.

Nurturing gifted minds

JBNSTS has set up a research center here to frame the STEM curriculum, lay down guidelines for identifying 'gifted minds' at the high-school level, create module for training teachers and, finally, set up special schools for these 'gifted minds' on the lines of the magnet schools in the USA and 'supernormal schools' in China where exceptionally talented children in STEM are given special education, nurtured and provided an enabling environment to grow and even conduct research. The research center, headed by renowned educationist Krishna Maitra, who is a specialist in the field of 'gifted education' (educating gifted or exceptionally talented children), has been given a three-year time frame for this task.

Harnessing the talent

The entire process will be kick-started with what would be the first international conference on research in education and curriculum planning for gifted minds in India. Two dozen noted Indian and international experts in the field of gifted education will brainstorm over three days from February 4 to 6 in New Delhi and then in Kolkata on February 10 and 11. The JBNSTS research center will have resource persons from each subject to frame the curriculum.