Atal Tinkering Laboratories

Atal Tinkering Laboratories is part of the three initiatives under Atal Innovation Mission. This is a programme designed by the Indian government’s NITI Aayog – the other major name in this case being Atal Incubation Centres – and has been launched on the occasion of Narendra Modi government’s second year in power. The main aim of the programme is to foster the spirit of innovation among the country's children and also create the perfect environment for the same. It looks to create a million inventors in India out of the country's children who hold the key to its future. It is expected that as many as 500 ATLs shall be established in schools across the country. Only schools that are deemed eligible for the programme will be given the go-ahead. However, other entities such as individuals and organizations can apply to be a part of the programme as well.

What is this programme about?

ATL can be defined in layman’s terms as a space where children and youngsters will be able to conceptualize and develop scientific ideas. The best thing about the programme is that they will be able to do their own thing and that too without any hindrance and get all the help that they need. This way they will also learn the different skills that are needed to innovate on a grander scale. The students will be provided a number of kits that will help this entire process. These kits will contain different equipment such as the following:

scientific equipment
sensors
electronic equipment
3D printers
robotic equipment
computers
open source microcontroller boards

This way they will be able to create their own models.

Provision of aid

The programme aims to inspire creativity and create a scientific temperament among students. In order to help the schools that take part in the programme the central government will provide a one-time aid of INR 10 lakh, which will help them establish the said laboratories. The programme will be available to students from 6th to 12th grades. These schools will also get INR 10 lakh over five years in order to keep the programme running. This means that in all each school chosen to participate in the ATL programme will receive INR 20 lakh each.

How will this programme help children?

As part of the programme students will be able to work with equipments and tools that will help them get some idea of various concepts related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The kids will also get the opportunity to show their developments and innovations at competitions organized at the state and countrywide levels. Apart from this the government will organize exhibitions, fabricating and designing products, problem solving workshops and a series of lectures to serve the programme’s basic purpose. The schools have already been provided notices of the same and the CBSE board has stated that the programme is capable of developing skills like design mindset, adaptive learning, computational thinking and physical computing.

Who is eligible for the programme?

Schools that are owned and run by governments or local bodies can take part in the ATL. However, schools that are managed and operated by private societies and trusts can also be a part of the same. It is expected that at least a fourth of the programme will be run in the public schools owned and operated by either Indian government or any state government. The last date for application in the programme is 17^th July 2016. This is an extended deadline – previously the date was fixed at 17^th June. The programme is also open to schools that are part of educational boards such as CBSE, SSC and ICSE. Schools that have already put forward their applications will be allowed to do so again before the final deadline expires. This will be beneficial for schools that are presently closed for summer vacations.

Implementation of the programme

NITI Aayog has already started making efforts in order to make sure that ATM is a success. To that end, it has had interacted – via video conferencing – with every state and union territory in a lot of detail explaining various facets of the programme. It has in fact asked the various states in India to provide the schools proper information in this regard so that they are encouraged to apply.

Importance of the programme

According to Amitabh Kant, the CEO of NITI Aayog, this programme will see the federal government invest significantly in order to grow an innovative spirit among the children of the country. This also makes it the first of its kind in India.

Role of the states

The states are expected to play a major role in the betterment of this programme by way of providing suggestions to the effect. They have already stated that the programme should be designed in such a way that it is able to operate in lesser space and also include more students from the hilly areas in its fold perhaps considering the overall status of these regions in India’s developmental pyramid. It is also expected that the private sector will play a mentoring role in the programme. NITI Aayog has assured that the said suggestions will be looked at in a proper manner. Read More: Schemes Launched by Modi Govt IDFC Bank Start-up India, Stand-up India Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan 'Stand up India' Scheme by PM Modi : Highlights, Objectives, Benefits, Process Bandhan Bank Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Atal Pension Yojana Sukanya Samriddhi Account Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Making India Clean & More National LED Programme Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) One Rank One Pension Scheme Seventh Pay Commission Garib Kalyan Yojana Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) All Information about Digital India Programme DigiLocker eBasta - Features and Benefit for students Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme Pahal Scheme Jan Dhan Yojana Skill India Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)