ATAL TINKERING LABS

Ministry of Education

Context:

Recently Government of India release Atal Tinkering labs data

About Atal Tinkering Labs:

• Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) is a sub-mission under the Atal Innovation Mission of the Government of India.
• This is an important government scheme administered under the NITI Aayog.
• Scheme vision is to ‘Cultivate one Million children in India as Neoteric Innovators’
• It is an approach of Central government of India to create an environment of scientific temperament, innovation, creativity amongst Indian Students.
• It is established in schools across India under Atal Innovation Mission.
• On April 9, 2021, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) decided to adopt 295 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) across the country, with an objective to inculcate scientific research and innovation culture among students. Top research scholars and scientists at CSIR will mentor students at these ATLs and act as resource persons.
• On January 11, 2021, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has decided to adopt 100 Atal Tinkering Labs with an aim to promote education in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), space education, and space technology-related innovations for school students.
• The Department of Space (DOS), Atal Innovation Mission and NITI Aayog will adopt 45 Atal Tinkering Labs in the first phase and then 55 others will be adopted by ISRO.

Financial Support

AIM 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.

Background

The Government of India has setup the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) at NITI Aayog. Realizing the need to create scientific temper and cultivate the spirit of curiosity and innovation among young minds, AIM proposes to support the establishment of a network of Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATL). ATL is a workspace where young minds can give shape to their ideas through hands-on do-it-yourself mode and learn innovation skills. The vision is to cultivate 1 Million children in India as Neoteric Innovators. The Government of India has setup the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) at NITI Aayog. Realizing the need to create scientific temper and cultivate the spirit of curiosity and innovation among young minds, AIM proposes to support the establishment of a network of Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATL). ATL is a workspace where young minds can give shape to their ideas through hands-on do-it-yourself mode and learn innovation skills. The vision is to cultivate 1 Million children in India as Neoteric Innovators.

Objectives

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. Young children will get a chance to work with tools and equipment to understand what, how and why aspects of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) 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. Young children will get a chance to work with tools and equipment to understand what, how and why aspects of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)

ATL would contain educational and learn “do it yourself” kits and equipment on – science, electronics, robotics, open source microcontroller boards, sensors and 3D printers etc.

Key Features of ATL

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.

Eligibility

1. Schools (minimum Grade VI – X) managed by Government, local body or private trusts/society to set up ATL.
2. The applicant school would have to provide at least 1,500 Sq. Ft. of built up space. Applicant schools from hilly / Himalayan and island states, UTs would have to provide atleast 1,000 Sq. Ft. of built up space. The existing facilities for meeting rooms and video conferencing among others can be used to supplement the laboratory.

Some initiatives of AIM are :

• Atal Tinkering Labs – To promote creative, innovative mindset in schools.
• ATL Marathon-It is a nationwide contest where students identify community challenges and create grassroots innovations and solutions within their ATLs)
• Atal Incubators – To promote entrepreneurship in universities and industry.
• Atal New India Challenges and Atal Grand Challenges – To promote specific product innovations with social/economic impact.
• Mentors of Change – To mentor students at ATL and AIC Incubators / Startups.
•  AIM iCREST – It is an Incubator Capabilities enhancement program for a Robust Ecosystem focused on creating high performing Startups.
  • It has been designed to enable the incubation ecosystem and act as a growth hack for AIM’s Atal and Established incubators across the country. 
• Student Entrepreneurship Programme (SEP) –The programme will help students in receiving support and guidance for manufacturing fully-functional and market-ready products.
• Atma Nirbhar Bharat ARISE-ANIC Initiative-It is a new programme which was launched  in collaboration with Niti Aayog, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and several ministries.
  • It is an national initiative to promote applied research and innovation to fast track the growth of the indian MSME’s sector  

Source: PIB

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