Interiors for the Atal Tinkering Lab

The 8th batch (1993-2000) undertook this project during their Silver Jubilee year to set up interiors for Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) sanctioned by NITI Aayog.

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it –William Arthur Ward

 With an idea to give back something to our alma mater that bestowed us with excellent education, nurtured us for 7 years with lots of love and dedication, we, the Alumnus of 8th batch (1994-2000) of JNV Balehonnur, decided to do something for the school. This year being the Silver Jubilee year for our batch, we wanted to use this opportunity to create something better for the School.

 All of us are pursuing our dreams and are well place in our lives. We started pooling in ideas to begin with, and fund raising on parallel.

 One individual may die for an idea, but that idea will, after his death, incarnate itself in a thousand lives – Subhas Chandra Bose 

We proposed this to the Principal, there was a request from him for setting up interiors for the Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs), that was sanctioned form the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India),We decided to take it up and execute it in a best possible way. We would like to sincerely thank our Principal for giving this wonderful opportunity. 

Here is a brief on Atal Tinkering Labs,

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 equipments 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. 

This is something new to us and we decided to have a look at an already functional lab to get the real feel of it. Some of us visited the Delhi Public School (DPS).We were amazed by the activity that was going on at the lab. Children were so involved in getting hands on experience of an array of activities related to STEM. The first thing that stuck my mind was” oh! Wish we had this when we were growing up. This would have made a lot of difference in the way we absorbed the concepts”. 

 “The aim of education should be to preserve and nurture the yearning for learning  a child is born with” - W Edwards Deming 

We felt very elated that we have an opportunity to create this environment for the young children of JNV. We decided to go ahead and create this in a best possible way. Though the Lab setup is funded by the Govt. of India, we have used our funds to create an excellent interior complete with a lot of graffiti and ample storage space .The place has come up very lively and enthralling. We have extended our support in choosing the Vendors and the equipments needed as well.  We have a core team that worked really hard on collection and distribution of funds through different channels. There were some members who regularly made personal visits to the school to monitor important work being carried out. There were some angels who contributed multiple times without any hesitation when there was a shortage of funds. 

This facility will be inaugurated on the 9th of December 2018. I take opportunity to thank all the alumni members, vendors, craftsmen and the labourers for their valuable contribution towards a very satisfactory execution. -

Written by: Radhika Joshi (1993-2000)

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About Atal Tinkering Labs: ATL is a workspace where young minds can give shape to their ideas through hands-on do-it-yourself mode and learn innovation skills. Students get opportunities to work with tools and equipment to understand STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) concepts.

Facilities Included:

• Educational 'do it yourself' kits and equipment
• Science, electronics, robotics equipment
• Open source microcontroller boards and sensors
• 3D printers and computers
• Meeting rooms and video conferencing facility

Financial Breakdown:

• Total project cost: ₹6,07,524
• ATL Fund: ₹1,49,724
• 1993-2000 batch contribution: ₹4,57,800

The facility was inaugurated on December 9, 2018.

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