Assam: In a bid to foster scientific thinking, the Assam government has targeted the installation of 328 more tinkering labs in schools across the state this year.
With the support of the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, 335 tinkering labs are already functional in 335 schools in the state.
“In Assam, we are encouraging Tinkering Labs in schools to develop scientific temperament among our children,” said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Over 20,000 students have already benefitted from this initiative, CM Sarma said.
A Tinkering Lab is an educational space designed to foster creativity, critical thinking and hands-on learning among students.
The labs encourage experimentation and problem-solving among children, providing a variety of tools, materials, and technologies that allow students to engage in DIY (Do it yourself) projects, explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) concepts, and build prototypes of their ideas.
In Assam, the IIT-G has been entrusted to set up and operate tinkering labs. The institute has already installed such labs in 113 schools and will install labs in another 328 schools this year.
IIT has given hands-on training to 759 school teachers of the state in tinkering labs over the past two years.
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Over 1,400 teachers from 663 schools will be imparted training on tinkering labs this year.
The institute has engaged its trainers to provide training to students in tinkering labs in existing schools. The IIT-G has been playing a pivotal role in mentoring schools with existing tinkering labs and motivating the students to use the labs to showcase their innovations and creativity.
The lab has been playing a crucial role in equipping students with the skills needed for the future, including coding, robotics, and design thinking.
