'Science on Wheels' Initiative: IIT Mandi Promotes Hands-On Science Education Across Himachal Schools

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi has joined hands with Plaksha University and the Igniting Dreams of Young Minds (IDYM) Foundation to introduce the 'Science on Wheels' initiative in Himachal Pradesh. Supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, the programme seeks to encourage scientific curiosity among children by providing them with opportunities to understand scientific concepts through experiments and hands-on learning activities. Particular emphasis is being placed on students from rural areas, who may have limited access to experimental facilities and other resources that support practical learning. Officials said the initiative is designed to help students understand the difference between learning scientific theories in classrooms and observing how those principles work through experiments.

The Himachal Pradesh phase of the programme was inaugurated on October 17 at the IIT Mandi Campus School in the presence of the institute's Director, Professor Laxmidhar Behera. The launch marked the beginning of the initiative's efforts to expand experiential science education across the state. Commenting on the initiative, IIT Mandi Director Professor Laxmidhar Behera highlighted the importance of developing scientific curiosity among schoolchildren. He described 'Science on Wheels' as a valuable effort to encourage young learners to take a greater interest in science, emphasising that children will play an important role in shaping India's future. He also underlined the importance of nurturing scientific thinking as the country works towards the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, or self-reliant India.

Before arriving in Himachal Pradesh, the 'Science on Wheels' programme had reached more than 7,500 students across 70 schools in Chhattisgarh and Punjab. Building on its earlier outreach, the initiative now plans to cover 50 schools across five districts of Himachal Pradesh: Mandi, Kullu, Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Kangra. Through demonstrations and guided activities, the programme aims to make scientific subjects easier to understand while encouraging students to explore questions, test ideas and develop problem-solving skills.

Following the inauguration, the programme team began its activities in Mandi district by visiting five government senior secondary schools. These institutions are located in Badog, Baggi (K), Bari Gumanu, Batheri and Deori. The visits marked the start of the initiative's school-level outreach in the state, with students participating in structured learning sessions designed to introduce them to different areas of science and technology.

The 'Science on Wheels' initiative is designed for students studying in Classes VI to XII. At each participating school, the programme provides approximately six hours of learning experiences, organised around four major themes: space technology, robotics, sustainability and water filtration. Through interactive activities and experiments, students can gain a clearer understanding of scientific principles and explore how they are applied in areas such as space exploration, automated systems, environmental protection and access to clean water.