‘Tinkering Labs’ To Be Introduced In Schools

To motivate students to involve in scientific innovation and entrepreneurship in the country, the government has formed the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM). Under the Mission, ‘Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs) will be established in all CBSE and CISCE affiliated schools all over the country.

The NITI Aayog plans to set up 500 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs), named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.  The vision of the scheme is to ‘foster creativity and scientific temper in students’. All students from classes 6 to 12 will benefit from these high-tech labs which will enable them to work with tools and equipment to understand the concepts of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and give shape to their creativity.

As part of the Mission, schools desirous of applying under the scheme would be provided a grant-in-aid for a one-time establishment cost of Rs. 10 Lakh and operational expenses of Rs. 10 Lakh for a maximum period of 5 years for setting up the labs.

CBSE additional director (research and innovation) Sugandh Sharma said, “The project is part of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM). These laboratories will provide a work space to students and help them hone their innovation skills.”