National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Ayog with a vision to ‘Cultivate one Million children in India as Neoteric Innovators’ started Atal Innovation Mission establishing Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs) in schools across India. The objective of this scheme is to foster curiosity, creativity and imagination in young minds; and inculcate skills such as design mindset, computational thinking, adaptive learning, physical computing etc.
Atal Tinkering Labs are dedicated works spaces where students (Class 6th to Class 12th) learn innovation skills and develop ideas that will go on to transform India.The lab activities are designed to spur the spark of creativity, and go beyond regular curriculum and textbook learning. The labs will let students explore skills of future such as design and computational thinking, adaptive learning and artificial intelligence.
ATL is a work space where young minds can give shape to their ideas through hands on do-it-yourself mode; and learn innovation skills. Young children will get a chance to work with tools and equipment to understand the concepts of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). ATL would contain educational and learning ‘do it yourself’ kits and equipment on – science, electronics, robotics, open source microcontroller boards, sensors and 3D printers and computers. Other desirable facilities include meeting rooms and video conferencing facility.
In order to foster inventiveness among students, ATL can conduct different activities ranging from regional and national level competitions, exhibitions, workshops on problem solving, designing and fabrication of products, lecture series etc. at periodic intervals.
At present there are 2000 Atal labs across India and NITI Ayog are expected to establish 5000 more labs by March 2019. AIM (Atal Innovation Mission) will provide grant-in-aid that includes a one-time establishment cost of Rs. 10 lakh and operational expenses of Rs. 10 lakh for a maximum period of 5 years to each ATL.
We Infinite Engineers are happy to support The Government of India initiative in setting up Tinkering Labs to Inspire and Ignite Young Innovators. Infinite Engineers Provides Support in following Areas to Implement Tinkering Labs in Schools
- Complete Material Setup – As per ATL Guidelines
- Year Long Support to Teachers
- Tested ATL Curriculum