Shaping India’s Next Generation of Innovators: Lodha Oakwood School Leading STEM Excellence

By Lodha

Committed to advancing India’s journey toward becoming a developed economy by 2047, the Lodha Foundation is reshaping traditional education by promoting scientific rigor, innovation, and research. Leading this transformative mission is Lodha Oakwood School - one of the premier international schools in Mumbai, that’s redefining how Mathematics and the Sciences are taught.

Founded in 2022 in Wadala, Mumbai, Lodha Oakwood School is dedicated to inspiring a lifelong love for learning by encouraging young minds to explore, discover, and innovate. “Our goal is to prepare students not just for exams, but for life,” says Feroza Mehta Amin, Principal of Lodha Oakwood School. “We believe in nurturing curiosity and a passion for STEM from an early age.”

Globally Benchmarked Cambridge Curriculum

Inspired by global educational frameworks, the school has meticulously crafted its STEM courses to extend beyond traditional textbooks. With a Cambridge affiliation already in place, the school is actively pursuing NEASC and CIS accreditation to uphold the highest standards of academic excellence and rigor.

A defining feature of the curriculum is its emphasis on inquiry-based learning, where students are encouraged to ask questions, conduct experiments, and discover answers through practical experiences. This method enhances their understanding while nurturing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Lodha Oakwood School’s dedication to STEM education has earned it prestigious accolades, including ‘Best School with STEM Courses’ at the International School Awards in Bangkok (2023) and the STEAM Education Excellence award from the Education World India Grand Jury Awards 2023-24.

Interdisciplinary Learning Through a Tailored STEM Program

Lodha Oakwood School’s STEM program fosters collaboration across various disciplines, enabling students to understand the interconnectedness of different fields. At the heart of this approach is project-based learning, where students engage in hands-on projects that seamlessly integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

A standout project is the AQUATIC HARMONY initiative, designed for fifth graders, which combines chemistry, physics, and biology. Through this program, students study the properties of water, examine its cultural importance, and create innovative solutions to address global water challenges.

“This interdisciplinary approach to learning encourages students to see science in their daily activities, generating interest and enabling them to appreciate the interconnectedness of scientific concepts and their real-world applications,” expresses Bhavna Nagpal, STEM Coordinator.

Well-Equipped STEM Lab and Maker Spaces

The school’s learning spaces are thoughtfully designed to inspire innovation and encourage critical thinking. The STEM Learning Centre features makerspaces and advanced digital tools, offering students hands-on exposure to robotics while empowering them to experiment, create, and innovate.

In alignment with its mission to create an immersive learning environment, Lodha Oakwood School is forging partnerships with top organisations like Teqdise - The Aerospace. This collaboration will provide students with the unique opportunity to witness the construction of a space shuttle and deepen their understanding of aerodynamics and space exploration, effectively integrating practical experience with theoretical learning.

Experiential Learning & Real-World Applications

A key aspect of the STEM Program is hands-on learning, which immerses students in practical activities to help them grasp theoretical concepts in a tangible and interactive manner. For example, to explore the periodic table, students from Grades 1-7 engage with each element through song and dance. By acting out their assigned element, students gain a deeper understanding of its properties and reactions, both individually and in combination.

Lodha Oakwood School goes above and beyond to provide its students with valuable exposure, as demonstrated by its first-ever STEM Fair held in May 2024. The event sparked students’ enthusiasm for science and innovation, featuring projects inspired by classroom discoveries in fields like planetary science, environmental solutions, the human body, and sustainable cities.

The school also hosted the Final Showcase of the inaugural Lodha Tech4Change Challenge, an exciting competition aimed at engaging students across India in developing AI-driven solutions for real-world challenges. In collaboration with Intel and EduTech, the event attracted 399 talented participants from 29 cities across India and beyond.

The Lodha Oakwood School Scholarship Program

Dedicated to inspiring and nurturing the next generation of global innovators, Lodha Oakwood School actively seeks students with exceptional personal and academic potential. Through the LOS Scholarship, the school aims to identify and support the brightest STEM talents across India, offering lifelong mentorship.

With strong leadership and a dedicated team, Lodha Oakwood School is on its way to becoming one of the top schools in Mumbai by transforming the future of STEM education through hands-on, practical approaches. By focusing on the development of crucial skills, the school serves as a beacon of excellence, motivating and guiding its students to play a key role in driving India’s economic growth and global competitiveness.