Education

VigyanShaala: How a Pune-Raised Scientist Is Helping Thousands of Girls Build Careers in Science

Founded by Dr. Vijay Venugopalan and Dr. Darshana Joshi, VigyanShaala mentors girls and rural students through She for STEM and community science labs, and aims to reach 1 lakh girls by 2030.

By Sham Rathi · 26 October 2026, 8:17 am

School girls doing a science experiment at a VigyanShaala workshop — Girls try a hands-on science experiment at a VigyanShaala workshop. Photo: VigyanShaala

Many bright girls in India finish school with good marks in science but never make it to a science career. Some have no one to guide them, some cannot afford the fees, and many simply never meet a woman scientist. VigyanShaala, a non-profit started by Dr. Vijay Venugopalan, who grew up in Pune, and Dr. Darshana Joshi, is working to change that.

The work began in 2015 with hands-on science workshops, and the two scientists formally set up VigyanShaala together in 2019. Its message is simple: "STEM at everyone's doorstep". STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

She for STEM: a mentor for every girl

The main programme, She for STEM (earlier called Kalpana), is an online mentoring programme for young women in college. Each girl is matched with women and men working in science and research, who help her plan her studies and career. Girls who need it also get financial help. The programme has reached more than 20,000 girls, and VigyanShaala lists over 6,000 She for STEM fellows from 22 states.

To reach more girls, the team has built CURIE, a mentoring chatbot that answers students' questions about courses and careers at any time.

Science labs in rural areas

Through the Rural STEM Champions fellowship, VigyanShaala sets up community science labs and gives students in villages and small towns virtual mentoring. More than 50 students from these labs have gone on to study at IITs, NITs, Fergusson College and Savitribai Phule Pune University.

In numbers

Over 2 lakh hours of mentoring.
Over 15,000 students in hands-on science activities and 200+ workshops.
250+ mentors and science leaders from 10 countries.
120 Rural STEM Champion fellows, 3 rural innovation spaces and 100+ low-cost research projects.

Recognition and the next goal

The work has been recognised by the Department of Science and Technology, NITI Aayog, the Ford Foundation, Echoing Green and Nikkei Asia. The next goal is to reach 1 lakh girls by 2030.

How to take part

Students: college girls studying science can apply to the She for STEM programme on vigyanshaala.com.
Professionals: scientists, engineers and researchers can sign up as volunteer mentors.
Supporters: donations help fund need-based help for students.

More details are on the VigyanShaala website, vigyanshaala.com.

Photos

Actual image Photo: VigyanShaala
A science demonstration for school girls
Actual image Photo: VigyanShaala
Students watch a water rocket launch at a STEM workshop

Questions and answers

What is VigyanShaala?

VigyanShaala is a non-profit that brings science education and mentoring to girls and rural students in India, through its She for STEM programme and Rural STEM Champions fellowship.

Who founded VigyanShaala?

VigyanShaala was founded by Dr. Vijay Venugopalan, who grew up in Pune, and Dr. Darshana Joshi. The work began in 2015 and the organisation was set up in 2019.

What is the VigyanShaala She for STEM programme?

She for STEM, earlier called Kalpana, is an online programme that matches college girls studying science with mentors from science and research, and gives need-based financial help. It has reached more than 20,000 girls.

How can a girl apply for the VigyanShaala She for STEM programme?

Applications are made on the VigyanShaala website, vigyanshaala.com, under Join the She for STEM Program.

How can I become a mentor with VigyanShaala?

Scientists, engineers and researchers can sign up as volunteer mentors on vigyanshaala.com, under Become a Mentor.

What is the CURIE chatbot by VigyanShaala?

CURIE is a mentoring chatbot built by VigyanShaala that answers students' questions about science courses and careers.

What is the VigyanShaala Rural STEM Champions fellowship?

It sets up community science labs and gives virtual mentoring to students in rural areas. More than 50 of its students have gone on to IITs, NITs, Fergusson College and Savitribai Phule Pune University.

What is the VigyanShaala goal for 2030?

VigyanShaala aims to reach 1 lakh (100,000) girls by 2030.

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