Education is a basic human right and a powerful tool for positive change. IF focuses on three subsets:
2) “Learning by Doing” ie Active Learning.
3) Turbocharging the Gifted/Talented.
Most of the world’s government and private programs attempt to provide either basic opportunities to all, irrespective of talent level, or focus on remedial action for those falling behind. Rightfully so!
However, throughout mankind’s history, a relatively small number of exceptional individuals have helped create fresh opportunities for countless. Society benefits from the innovation, expertise, and leadership of Gifted, Talented and/or Motivated individuals (“GTM”). This applies to all fields and is particularly true when skills are matched with sound values.
There are proportionately far fewer initiatives that target the GTM end of the skills-spectrum, one with its own special needs. We define GTM as functioning ‘well above-the-norm for the relevant environment’.
How can one help exceptional talent reach higher orbits, particularly when underprivileged?
Boston University’s PROMYS program screens, selects, and trains exceptional teenage math wizards to ‘reach a higher orbit’ via an intense 6-week residential summer program. Many attendees return as tutors and remain in touch through a synergistic alum network. PROMYS (Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists) has been running since 1989.
IF has partnered with another donor (who came up with the idea) and PROMYS to extend the program to students from India, and more recently other emerging nations. PROMYS India is closely modeled on its parent program: It is open to mathematically talented secondary and higher secondary students (Standards IX - XII or equivalent). Meticulously selected students from across India gather on the campus of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru to immerse themselves in rigorous mathematics. Information about the PROMYS program is available at https://promys-.india.org/
Housed within the National University of Singapore, YST was founded in 2003 and has evolved over the past decade as one of the world’s most distinct music schools.
IF has partnered with another donor (who came up with the idea) to sponsor a scholarship program for young talent from India and Southeast Asia, turbocharging world class musical talent. Selected recipients are trained under world class mentors in Singapore.
The University of Iowa Writers' Workshop was the first creative writing degree program in the United States. It is a two-year residency program which culminates in the submission of a creative thesis (a novel, a collection of stories, or a book of poetry) and the awarding of a Master of Fine Arts degree. The program typically admits up to fifty graduate students each year - approximately twenty- five each in the fiction and poetry programs.
IF has partnered with another donor (who came up with the idea) to sponsor a scholarship program at the Iowa Writers workshop to promote world class writing talent from India, starting in 2022.
Issue? India’s competitive “Ivy league” professional schools are amongst the best globally. Applicants from well-to-do families have a huge advantage in getting admitted, for instance from rigorous supplemental coaching prior to entrance exams. Sadly, many talented, yet underprivileged, youth lack funds for such coaching, besides coming from under-resourced schools.
A Solution: Since 2015 an organization named Dakshana runs an 11-month residential program for 600 highly motivated & talented youth annually at a campus near Pune, India. These competitively selected students are trained for the tough joint entrance exam for the world-renowned IITs (engineering schools). The over 70% batting average speaks for itself, for a fraction of the cost of similar for-profit programs! Incidentally, the remaining 30% are admitted to schools one notch below the ‘Ivies of India’. Simply put, these admissions are life-changing for the Dakshana scholars, and their families.
Our role: Indira Foundation supports Dakshana by investing in the build-up of infrastructure at its main campus. Past contributions funded a girls’ dormitory doubling the capacity and supported a renovation of the campus water system. Ongoing commitments will fund half a dozen 150-seat auditorium-style classrooms.
The globally proven Montessori technique is a holistic, hands-on approach to all round child development. Too often, though, Montessori schools (and its related teacher training programs) serve mostly higher-income families. And yet, when motivated Montessori-trained teachers in low- income/minority communities do create their own schools to serve their fellow community members, something beautiful happens!
Issue? How to expand the number of Montessori-trained teachers in marginalized communities and help many bloom as social entrepreneurs in starting their own schools? Wildflower has good ideas!
Solution: Wildflower is an ecosystem of decentralized Montessori micro-schools in multiple states. The schools support children, teachers, and parents, often in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Wildflower
i) Supports teachers through the process of imagining and starting their schools, ii) Provides them Montessori training when needed, & iii) Helps them raise money via venture philanthropy funding & secure low-interest loans (such funding is critical in early years until the schools can become self- supporting).
Our role: Indira Foundation partners with Wildflower Schools in two ways –
a) to help four educators from disadvantaged backgrounds start Wildflower schools in their respective home communities, across the United States. These schools are in Ixora, Williamsburg, Virginia; Blazing Stars located in Tampa, Florida, and Orchid in Providence, Rhode Island, and Traverse city, Michigan.
b) Strengthen Wildflower operations and coaching capacity to support over 25 emerging Teacher Leaders through the School Startup Journey outside their geographical hubs.