Executive Summary : | The Initiative for Research and Innovation in STEM (IRIS) aims to nurture science and scientific research among young Indian innovators, recognizing and rewarding outstanding projects. IRIS offers a platform for students in grades 5-12 to showcase their talent at a national level and represent India at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). The program includes pre-IRIS awareness sessions, regional camps, regional STEM outreach events, and the IRIS National Fair. The goal is to encourage investigative ability, inventiveness, and creativity among students through STEM outreach engagements and science fairs. The project aims to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, leading to enhanced capabilities for research. To encourage student participation in science fairs, backward designing is required, and the school system should be made aware of such fairs. Workshops and STEM intervention sessions will help expand outreach for programs like IRIS. |