Udupi: A student-led mentoring programme on the Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) initiative was organised by Shri Madhwa Vadiraja Institute of Technology and Management (SMVITM) on August 16 across three schools — Government PU College High School Section, Brahmavar; Karnataka Public School, Hiriadka; and SLJI School, Belman.
The sessions opened with an overview of ATL’s objectives and its importance in fostering creativity and innovation among young minds. SMVITM students demonstrated basic electronic circuits, Arduino-controlled LED blinking, and sensor-based projects. They also displayed models and prototypes designed at their institute to motivate participants.
To make the sessions more engaging, interactive group activities and discussions were held, prompting schoolchildren to identify local challenges and propose innovative solutions. A lively Q&A session helped clear doubts and deepened their grasp of tinkering and technology.
Teachers observed that the initiative made students more aware of ATL opportunities and gave them hands-on exposure to prototyping and problem-solving. The programme also benefited SMVITM mentors, sharpening their leadership and communication skills.
Overall, the event sparked curiosity and enthusiasm among school students, while further strengthening collaboration between SMVITM and the local schools involved.