Atal Innovation Mission
Atal Tinkering Lab Community Day was celebrated in Atal Tinkering Lab of our school on 18,19 and 20th April,2022 to extend the frontiers of learning and knowledge beyond our school. Staying true to the philosophy and ideologies of Shri B. R. Ambedkar, the ATL lab had around 100 students from the school and around the same number from non -ATL schools and underprivileged children (Nav-Jyoti foundation, N.G.O.) who may not have access to the formal education to participate in this journey of innovation. The lab was open to the neighboring schools so that every child could experience the skills and techniques intrinsic to innovation. It was one of the most overwhelming experiences I had in the recent past as it was celebrated with great enthusiasm and focus on imbibing “Do it yourself”, “Teamwork” and “Innovation for all”.
On 18th April 2022, the eventful day began with the inauguration under the guidance of the Principal, Ms. Anita Sharma; Mentor of change Mr. Dharamraj Panwar. A brief introduction of the concept of ATL provided to the participants with a broader view to gain access to the latest technology. The day started with mentors welcoming all students to encourage students to tinker and learn something new. Students saw the ATL labs and demos like paper circuits, multiple images by mirrors, newspaper bridge, spring constant, hovercraft, natural indicators, balloon train, balloon car, etc.
On 19th April 2022, students got an opportunity to experience innovation in school. The following activities were arranged DIY, Salt Battery, Soldiering Champions, Robotic kits. They had explored their new ideas with each other.
On 20th April 2022, all students together tried their hands-on open-source microcontroller boards, sensors, and 3D printers this was followed by design thinking session to ensure students come up with creative practical solutions to the problems which they choose to solve. The intent was to get constructive, concrete, and future ready. The learning and possibility of applications of these innovative technologies created so much energy.
Innovation has a solution to all these problems was our strong and clear message! Everyone was excited to innovate for real problems together. All the children were asked to form teams of 3 to 4 students. Every team had to identify (as per the team) and solve India’s biggest problems together. It was an experience!!
Every team had a mentor, non-ATL school kids, underprivileged kids and SDPS children. It was amazing to see how children from different walks of society can innovate together. Some of the remarkable outputs: Making useful and sellable items like wall hangings, bird house, Photo frames from non-useful items. All the children were equally involved, and innovation was focused on problem solving and real application, particularly for underprivileged section of our society.
All the teams presented, brainstormed their innovation to S.D.P.S, Pitampura and ATL mentors. The best part of ATL Community Day was that innovation was not restricted to laboratory. Innovation is being taken to the ground to ensure real transformation. For example, team of underprivileged children, SDPS students, mentors and non-ATL schools’ kids are working with gliders to check the viability and practical application of it. The gracious presence of the School Principal Ms. Anita Sharma, Parents, and Staff members was laudable. She also appreciated the efforts of members of teachers and students for the grand success of the program. At the end of the program students were awarded with prizes. The day was made so special and remarkable with shine and smiles of children who believed in innovation and are ready to do it themselves to solve our country’s problem. ATL is a great initiative to foster curiosity, creativity, and imagination in young minds; and inculcate skills such as design mindset, computational thinking, adaptive learning, physical computing etc. These young innovators would put India strong and very high on the innovation map! Kudos to ATL for bringing all sections of society together and sowing seeds of innovation!
Kusum Saroha,
S.D. Public School, Pitampura, New Delhi