With only one school from the three coastal districts of the State selected for opening tinkering lab, the Atal Innovation Mission has asked more schools from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada to apply in the second round of selection of schools for setting up of these laboratories. NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission has taken up the task of establishing Atal Tinkering Laboratories in schools across India.
The objective of these laboratories is to expose students to new age technologies and foster curiosity, creativity, and imagination among young minds. These laboratories will provide children to work with tools and equipment to understand concepts of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These laboratories will have “do it yourself” kits and equipment on science, electronics, robotics, sensors, and 3D printers. The mission will provide grant-in-aid of ₹10 lakh for establishment of the laboratory, and ₹2 lakh every year for a period of five years that will be towards operational expenses.
Talking to The Hindu here on Monday, Ramanathan Ramanan, the Mission Director of Atal Innovation Mission, said so far 457 schools were selected in the first round. In the website of the mission, the Government PU College, Volakadu, Udupi, has been mentioned as among the 30 schools in Karnataka where these laboratory will be established.
Mr. Ramanan said the mission has started selection of schools for establishment of 1,000 tinkering laboratories in the second round. Interested schools can submit applications online by July 15, he said. In the workshop on Monday about the Tinkering Laboratories for representatives from different schools in Dakshina Kannada, Mr. Ramanan said these laboratories help teachers in developing problem solving mindsets among students.
“The country needs more number of thinkers, job makers, and entrepreneurs.” The Atal Innovation Mission is trying to set an eco-system of innovation, which was presently absent.
Mr. Ramanan said schools having about 1,500 sq ft space and playground can apply
Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP and Ganesh Karnik, MLC, also spoke.
