Students can now ‘tinker and learn’ through Atal labs

Students of a few schools in the city have an opportunity to ‘tinker and learn’ Science with models. There are various approaches to education, some of which are adopted by the schools for the benefit of students. ‘Tinker and learn’ is a method, where the students do it themselves.

The Atal Innovation Mission, a flagship initiative set up by the NITI Aayog, has established Atal Tinkering Laboratories in schools across the country. The objective of this scheme is to cultivate the spirit of curiosity and innovation among young minds, through hands-on do-it-yourself experiments.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Atal Tinkering Labs under Atal Innovation Mission in 2016 to make the ‘tinker and learn’ dream for children of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee a reality. Any school across the country can apply on the Niti Aayog website to incorporate Atal Tinkering Lab facilities. Students from standard 6 to 12 can use the facilities. By the end of 2018, over 5,000 schools are expected to have Atal Tinkering Labs across the country.

Kautilya Vidyalaya in Mysuru, was the first school to have the Atal Tinkering Lab in September 2017. It was followed by Ramakrishna Vidyashala, Excel Public School, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya and Andalus English School. Conducting science fairs, workshops, competitions in schools are some of the activities conducted by Atal Tinkering Labs. The schools that get an Atal Tinkering Lab, get financial aid from the Public Finance Management System. It includes cost of establishment and operational expenses for a period of five years.

The school should provide a workspace of 1,200 square feet, where do-it-yourself (DIY) kits on various technologies will be provided by vendors. The vendors also conduct workshops for students and teachers on the use of equipment in the schools. All expenses are taken care of by the money sanctioned byNiti Aayog. Bibox, Centrado Tech, etc have provided tinkering lab facilities for schools in Mysuru. 3D printers, robotics, mechanical models, sewing machines, telescope, internet of things, lathe, miniaturised electronics, bibox hornbill are installed at Kautilya Vidyalaya and Sri Ramakrishna Vidyashala in Mysuru.