Atal Tinkering Labs: Pune schools feel decision to expand labs will further foster creativity, innovation

Sanskriti School in Bhukum, Pune, is home to one such lab. Principal Damini Joshi said activities like 3D designing, stargazing, game design, and use of microcontrollers like Arduino and Raspberry Pi take place at the lab.

She said, “The Atal Tinkering Lab at Sanskriti School has significantly fostered creativity and innovation among our students. This facility has provided them with the platform to ideate, develop innovative projects, create new products, and find solutions to everyday challenges. Moreover, it has played a crucial role in nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset among young learners. A testament to this impact is our students’ remarkable achievement—winning first prize in a national-level product design competition.”

The Design Innovation Centre (DIC) at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has also collaborated with various schools to provide guidance and training for Atal Tinkering Labs. Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry Pooja Doshi, part of the DIC Core Team for Atal Tinkering Labs at SPPU, said, “We were given the task to guide schoolchildren about activities and innovation. We have sub-centres at places like Nashik and Ahilyanagar. We worked with around 53 schools and conducted teachers workshops as well.”

However, after the Covid-19 pandemic, these sessions and workshops stopped. “There is a need to continue this…,” Prof Doshi added.

Joshi expressed support for the initiative laid out in the budget speech and said, “The government’s decision to expand ATL labs by 50,000 will further inspire and equip students across the nation with the skills and opportunities to think critically, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to society.”

Prof Doshi has a similar view, saying “Inculcating innovations at the student level is necessary. It can lead to a proper path for the students. They can understand how various upcoming technologies can be developed, for need-based requirements.”