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Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has announced the establishment of 10 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in Thiruvananthapuram, marking a significant stride in fostering innovation and skill development among students. The announcement came during his address at the inauguration ceremony of the Net Zero Emission Project at NIMS Medicity in Thiruvananthapuram.
The Atal Innovation Mission aims to nurture the innovation potential of one million children in India through the establishment of Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs) in schools nationwide. This initiative aims to ignite curiosity, spark creativity, and cultivate essential skills like design thinking, computational proficiency, adaptive learning, and physical computing among young minds.
ATL serves as a dynamic workspace where young minds can bring their ideas to life through hands-on, do-it-yourself projects, fostering innovation skills among students. Equipped with tools and resources, students explore STEM concepts -Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – by engaging with educational kits, electronics, robotics, microcontroller boards, sensors, 3D printers, and computers. Additionally, ATLs provide essential facilities such as meeting rooms and video conferencing capabilities.
To cultivate inventiveness, ATLs organise a variety of activities including regional and national competitions, exhibitions, workshops focused on problem-solving, product design, and fabrication, as well as lecture series. These activities occur periodically, offering students opportunities to showcase their creativity and refine their innovation skills in a collaborative environment.
During his speech, Minister Chandrasekhar underscored the transformative potential of initiatives like Digital India and Skill India, stressing their role in shaping the future careers of Indian youth. He highlighted how these initiatives not only cater to the present needs but also open up vast opportunities for the future workforce. He emphasised that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the youth are poised to benefit from India’s digital advancements.
Reflecting on the past, the Minister highlighted the considerable shift in opportunities available to young Indians today compared to a decade ago. He noted how the landscape has evolved, enabling talent from diverse backgrounds to succeed in India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Minister Chandrasekhar attributed this change to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi, who has spearheaded transformative reforms to ensure equitable access to opportunities for all.
Interacting with students, Minister Chandrasekhar stressed the importance of innovative and experiential learning, particularly through initiatives like Atal Tinkering Labs. These labs provide students with a platform to explore creativity, problem-solving, and innovation beyond traditional classroom boundaries. Minister Chandrasekhar highlighted their role in nurturing lifelong learning and preparing students for future challenges.
Furthermore, Minister Chandrasekhar lauded India’s progress in electronics manufacturing, citing it as a testament to the nation’s capabilities. Despite initial scepticism, India has emerged as a major player in electronics production and semiconductor development, showcasing its prowess in technological innovation.
Recently, the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) joined forces to introduce Frontier Technology Labs (FTLs) aimed at democratising future technologies and empowering youth across India to innovate. These labs, an advanced version of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs), will provide state-of-the-art infrastructure to students, enabling them to engage with cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Augmented & Virtual Reality, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Robotics, 3D Printing, and Internet of Things.
With a focus on fostering curiosity and creativity, FTLs will offer engaging workshops and project-based learning experiences, equipping students with digital skills essential for success in today’s technology-driven world.
Minister Chandrasekhar’s announcement builds upon his earlier efforts in establishing ATLs, reflecting the government’s commitment to fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovation among young minds through experiential learning initiatives like the Atal Tinkering Mission.
AIM aims to ensure equal opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to learn and innovate, contributing to India’s digital transformation and global competitiveness in the technology landscape.
