The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) professors and students are taking basic and advanced scientific and engineering concepts to rural schools of Tamil Nadu to provide hands-on learning of Scientific Concepts to the students, which will inculcate ‘Out-of-Box’ thinking.
The initiative is known as ‘Device Engineering Lab’ and was initiated by Tech to Learn. It involves teaching school students the scientific concepts behind everyday devices and also applying 3D printing to make or fabricate toys and other household objects. It has a three-year curriculum that targets students from Classes 8, 9, and 10 or 11.
By connecting IIT Madras students with students of Rural Schools, the objective is to imbibe a ‘Culture of Making’ at the school level and thus enhance design and fabrication skills. Another objective is to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, as these classes could even provide possible livelihood options in the future.
The training and the teaching provided to the students are completely experimental and hands-on in nature. Students will learn to print, applying primarily the FDM technique of 3D printing. They will print different device components, gears, wheels, and toys, among others.
Highlighting the key benefits of this initiative, Project Lead Prof. Pijush Ghosh, Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering, IIT Madras, said, “We believe that culture of ‘Making in India’ should begin at the school level. IIT Madras is reaching out to rural schools to build this culture together. In the process of making or fabricating something, students understand the concepts and principles involved better and thus gain more confidence and find learning a lot more interesting.”
HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE INVOLVED?
As many as 200 postgraduate students from 25 research labs prepared the content for about 30 devices for DEL Labs. They also built the teaching modules, which include documentation and PowerPoint Presentations, among others, besides ‘Train the Trainer’ modules. As a part of this project, recently, 30 PG students directly taught these device-related concepts to rural students.
About 25 UG students worked on building device repositories as per the school syllabus, while another 60 Prime Minister’s Research Fellows (PMRF) Scholars are currently working on making different hands-on models for explaining the concepts and 3D-printed objects. In the next 2-3 months, graduate students are likely to start visiting schools during the weekends to teach those devices and 3D Printing.
Apart from IIT Madras graduate students teaching, DEL has trainers appointed for it.
STUDENTS & TEACHERS FEEDBACK
Sharing his experience, B Srinath, a Student at Government High School (GHS) in Karanaipuducherry, Chengelpet District, said, “This is a great learning experience for us.”
Ms PR Suryakala, Headmistress, GHS Karanaipuducherry, Chengelpet District, said, “DEL gives Hands-on experience. Students always hear the words ‘Do not touch’ and ‘Do not break’’ but here, they could open the instrument to learn how they work. It is a great opportunity for the students in Government schools. This gives them ideas for starting their own business in the future.”
Currently, DEL labs have already been established in 13 schools. This initiative is directly benefitting about 1,000 students and, indirectly, more than 2,500 students. This number is going to increase significantly as more classes get involved.
Courtesy : IndiaToday
