Inauguration of ‘Atal Tinkering Lab’ – SHAPING YOUNG MINDS

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things because we’re curious! And curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

Our School stands for learning through exploration, experimentation and experience. Often, many are called but a few are chosen and MCCS is one among those few, to proudly avail the grant from the Government of India to create a novel environment to foster scientific temper, innovation and creativity amongst students with the setting up of the Atal Tinkering Laboratory, the inauguration of which was held on 11th August,2018. Dignitaries present on this day were Sr. Carmel Rita AC, Provincial Superior of the Apostolic Carmel, Karnataka Province; Dr Bharath Shetty, MLA, Mangaluru City North; Capt Ganesh Karnik, Ex-MLC, Karnataka Legislative Council; Dr Molly Choudhuri, Head of training, Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management and Mr Rayan, PTA Vice President, MCCS.

The programme commenced seeking the divine graces through a melodious prayer song. This was followed by an exuberant welcome dance. The principal Sr. Melissa AC then accorded a heartfelt welcome to the gathering. Craig DSouza, student of Class XI, explained the vision and form of the Lab, after which the dignitaries proceeded to symbolically inaugurate the Laboratory by igniting magnesium ribbons.

Dr Molly Choudhuri in her message urged students to dare to dream beyond the mediocre, ask questions and seek answers proactively. She made the students to realize that there are some accidental inventions and some others-which are planned, focused and persistently followed in the view of better achievements through active experimentation.

Capt. Ganesh Karnik motivated the students to make the best use of every hands-on-experience in the ATL and advised the teachers to turn the classroom environment into a Laboratory experience of learning, as well.
Dr Bharath Shetty suggested the teachers and students to foster values of patriotism, brotherhood and service at an early age along with progress in academics and technology.

Sr. Carmel Rita AC in her presidential address said, “It’s a very proud moment for Mount Carmel Central School to own ‘Atal Tinkering lab’. Students are the resource persons of this lab where they can discover themselves, innovate, execute their new ideas and work on their creativity. I urge students to make best use of this lab and i wish all the success for their future endeavors”.

The students then performed a cultural dance. Sr Lidwyn AC, the Vice-Principal delivered a vote of thanks. PTA Vice president Mr. Ryan Lobo, Administrator Sr. Carissima AC, Coordinator Sr. Marie Lucy AC, Contractor Mr. Sanjeeva Dandekeri, members of PTEC, a few teachers and students of the local schools and the staff and students of MCCS were present for the inaugural ceremony. Roshna Narayan, student of Class XII was the powerful compeer of the day.

After the formal inauguration, the dignitaries were led to the venue of Atal Tinkering Lab where Dr. Bharath Shetty inaugurated the Lab by cutting the ribbon, while Fr Stervin Fernando SCJ, the Superior of Maria Kripa, Betharam Fathers, blessed the lab.

The dignitaries and others then went round the lab where the students explained to them a few innovative models they created within a day. The crowd was impressed with the 3D printer and models like Hovercraft, automatic door lock, Laser security alarm, remote controller car and street light using LDR etc. With this the dignitaries, students and invitees took home a delight to their five senses, carrying forth a profound zeal for true learning.

About ATL:

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 equipment on – science, electronics, robotics, open source micro-controller boards, sensors, 3D printers and computers. Other desirable facilities include meeting rooms and video conferencing facility. 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. AIM will provide to schools grant-in-aid that includes a one-time establishment cost of Rs.10 lakh and operational expenses of Rs.10 lakh for a period of 5 years.