Union Education Minister Pradhan unveils Odisha’s first Boeing Sukanya STEM labs in Sambalpur
On January 25, 2026, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the first set of Boeing Sukanya STEM labs in the state of Odisha, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of hands-on science and technology education in India’s eastern region. The launch event, held at CSB Zilla School in Sambalpur district, saw the unveiling of three STEM labs, one physically and two virtually in Sambalpur, Rairakhol, and Kuchinda. These labs are part of the broader Boeing Sukanya Programme, which aims to promote STEM learning with a special emphasis on increasing the participation of girls in aviation, aerospace and related technical fields.
Pradhan highlighted that India’s civil aviation sector is poised for exponential growth in the coming decade, with estimates suggesting the number of civil aircraft in the country could jump from approximately 2,500 to 15,000. This rapid expansion, he noted, will create significant demand for a skilled workforce, including pilots, engineers, technicians and maintenance professionals. According to him, exposing young students early to STEM, especially girls, through well-equipped labs will better prepare them for emerging opportunities in aerospace and allied sectors.
Each of the new STEM labs is equipped with experiential learning kits, digital tools, and hands-on modules designed to teach core concepts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, with additional focus areas in aviation and aeromodelling. The curriculum and lab activities are tailored for students from Classes VI to X, and emphasise activity-based learning, workshops and exploratory sessions that foster critical thinking, problem-solving and innovation. Students are also encouraged to participate in regional and national STEM and aeromodelling competitions, helping to nurture talent beyond the classroom environment.
Pradhan stressed the importance of early foundational learning in the mother tongue, which he believes strengthens conceptual clarity and helps students build a solid academic base. He reiterated that programmes like Boeing Sukanya go beyond conventional teaching; they serve as catalysts for inspiring young minds, particularly girls, to pursue careers in sectors traditionally underrepresented by women.
The Boeing Sukanya Programme, launched in 2024, is implemented in partnership with the Learning Links Foundation. The initiative is supported jointly by the Odisha government and Boeing, with each contributing Rs. 40 lakh to establish the labs. Beyond infrastructure, the programme also includes scholarships and skill development pathways aimed at enabling talented students, notably girls, to overcome financial barriers and achieve ambitions in the field of aviation and aerospace.
The inauguration was attended by several dignitaries, including Odisha’s Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, and senior officials from the education and administrative departments, reflecting strong institutional support for STEM education initiatives across the region.
