How the Atal Tinkering Labs are enabling innovation and creating opportunities in K-12
We are living in the 21st century where society has become totally technology-driven. Ever since the pandemic has come into force each and every one has seen a moderate shift of almost everything online. We saw everything happening online right from applications like Zoom who are providing knowledge in schools/colleges to the doctors who were found providing online consultation on platforms like Practo, etc. But how are these apps brought to life? Coding has been the most important aspect. Today learning of machines, AI, app development, innovation, entrepreneurship and automation are becoming a mandatory part of society.
As a matter of fact, for K12 students of India, it has become crucial and important to learn the same for their development. The Ministry of Education did announce the new National Education Policy in 2020, with some very important changes in the bookish education system of India for today’s tech-driven society by making important the teaching of coding techniques from class 6th onwards.
Talking about the government of India, the NITI Aayog launched THE ATAL TINKERING LAB for the K12 students. For the young students, this experience has turned out to be a sense of learning. Young minds are allowed to empathise, ideate, experiment, take risks and they have the essence of trusting their skills better. Because of the ideation of tinkering, they are evolving themselves from a visionary young child to somebody who can transform their ideas into reality. Tinkering Labs are tremendously increasing and is turning out to be a leapfrogging trend for the growth of the education system. It is just the beginning of the era where students will get a growth perspective. Science, maths, art is definitely very important. But an innovative, entrepreneurship mindset in a school environment allows all students to learn in their own style and ways. In January ISRO has announced that it will adopt 100 Atal Tinkering Labs across the country for mentorship and promoting STEM and Space Education.
ATL is an amazing workspace that enables young minds to shape their ideas by following “do everything yourself” mode. Young children are being immensely offered opportunities to work with tools and equipment to understand the concepts of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). It is empowering the youth with the skills of creativity, innovation, critical thinking etc. which have become the need of an hour in the 21st century. So many students out there are enjoying all these processes and are opening new doors for their future.
Learning at a young stage makes things easier in the future prospect. With students learning skills in their school through ATL will make their college and work life more passionate driven. The young minds try their hands in their lab, experimentation, etc for which they will be able to give better and innovative inputs for the betterment of the society. Getting away from rote learning and focusing more on a practical learning approach, will the youth of India foster growth for themselves and for the nation as a whole. Students will be able to make better applications, take out innovative solutions to the problems that are stopping the growth of the nation. Students develop a keen interest in tinker labs and participate very much. Parents out there surely do not want to miss out on this amazing opportunity to teach their children a subject that has enormous potential and significance. Schools are joining the race to equip their students with the most appropriate set of skills for the future. With the rapid set of digitalisation, schools have incorporated coding in their curriculum so that our students can learn everything that the future demands.
According to Niti Aayog, Atal Innovation Mission have been able to establish over 7,000 ATLS across the country so far, enabling more than three million students between classes six to 12 acquire a problem solving, tinkering and innovative mindset.
ATL has got set of educational and learning equipment’s on – science, electronics, robotics, open-source microcontroller boards, sensors and 3D printers etc which in the future prospect, can take the students to higher levels. It is going to be a country full of problem-solving entrepreneurs and parents can’t resist their kids from learning all this.