New Delhi (NVI): The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) today announced that it will adopt 100 Atal Tinkering Labs across the country to promote education in the field of STEM, space education and technology related innovations for school students.
According to an official statement, it would be a collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission and NITI Aayog.
Speaking at the virtual event, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar said, “I am extremely elated that different departments and ministries of the Government of India are working in synergy to create an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
“This is a great opportunity for our young budding space researchers and astronauts to learn from the best minds of our country, and become living inspirations for their school, families and local communities,” he added.
ISRO Chairman K Sivan also expressed hope that the step shall help promoting innovation and the spirit of experiential learning among the school kids compared to traditional learning.
He added that, “With today’s adoption of 100 ATLs, distributed geographically in line with ISRO’s presence across the country, the organization is taking a small step in engaging with the students, towards giving them direction in pursuing their space dreams as a part of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’.”
An Atal Tinkering Lab provides a makerspace where young minds can give shape to their ideas through hands on do-it-yourself mode and and learn innovation skills, the NITI Aayog said in a statement.
It added that, to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog has established over 7,000 ATLs across the country so far, which enabled over 3 million students between Grade VI to Grade XII acquire a problem solving, tinkering and innovative mindset.
With this collaboration, ISRO will facilitate coaching and mentoring of students in advanced cutting-edge technologies of the 21st century including those related to space, the statement added.
Moreover, the students will not only gain theoretical but also practical and application-based knowledge of STEM and space education related concepts such as electronics, physics, optics, space technology, material sciences among others.
“I am glad that to nurture our future space scientists, ISRO in collaboration with their regional research centers are adopting 100 Atal Tinkering Labs, where ISRO scientists and researchers will personally guide and mentor the young innovators in the field of STEM education and Space technology.” NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said.
Earlier, Atal Innovation Mission in collaboration with ISRO for the Aatmanirbhar Bharat ARISE-ANIC Initiative along with four other ministries to spur applied research and innovation in Indian MSMEs and startups.
-RJV
