Dhanbad: A group of thirty students from Dhanbad City School, an institution affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), recently embarked on an exploratory trip to the renowned Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad (IIT-ISM)). The primary aim of this educational excursion was to ignite a sense of scientific curiosity and demystify the intricate world of science and technology.
The students, hailing from Class IX to XI, were treated to an engaging experiential learning session at IIT-ISM, facilitated by the state-of-the-art 3D Experience Platform. This immersive experience not only provided them with a glimpse into the captivating domain of modern technology but also delved into the intricacies of crafting intelligent robots.
Under the auspices of the K-12 Outreach program, spearheaded by the institute’s Media and Branding office, the students partook in a day-long laboratory tour that left an indelible mark on their academic journey. Alongside exploring various facets of web designing, the students were introduced to the multifaceted world of electronics design.
The program commenced with a comprehensive overview of the K-12 Outreach Program and its objectives, presented by Professor Rajni Singh, Dean of IIT-ISM Media and Branding Department. The enlightening session took place in the conference room situated on the second floor of the institute’s i2h building.
Debashish Chatterjee, the Technology Manager of TEXMiN, the Mining Technology Innovation hub of the institute, conducted an informative presentation, acquainting the students with the myriad resources available at TEXMiN. These resources include the Mining Technology and Excellence Centre, the Startup Incubation Centre, the Sandvik Mining Automation Learning Centre (SMAC), the Fab Lab, the Data Visualization Lab, and the Rapid Prototyping Facility.
Subsequently, the students embarked on an enlightening laboratory visit, gaining valuable insights into cutting-edge research endeavors spanning mining technology, electronics design, robotics, and more. They also learned about the institute’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurial talents through two dedicated facilities: the Naresh Vashisht Centre for Tinkering and Innovation (NVCTI) and the Atal Community Innovation Centre (ACIC).
Aamna Sadiya, a Class X student, expressed her enthusiasm, remarking, “It was a memorable experience for us as complicated scientific facts were unraveled in a quite simplistic manner with the help of high-end equipment present in the different laboratories of the institute.”
Md Shadab Alam, a student from Class IX, shared his awe, saying, “It was the first time that I visited IIT (ISM), and I was amazed to see the vast infrastructural facilities, comprising state-of-the-art laboratories, etc.”
Umang Singhal, a Postgraduate Mathematics Teacher who accompanied the students on their excursion, highlighted the educational value of the trip. She noted, “The trip was quite enriching for the students in terms of knowledge gain as they took keen interest in the various high-end equipment and their usage. They were also interested in learning more about the application process for prestigious technical universities such as IIT-ISM.”
The Laboratory Visit program, initiated under the K-12 Outreach initiative of IIT (ISM), commenced on June 23 this year. Its overarching objective is to ignite the curiosity of Class XII students and cultivate a passion for scientific exploration by offering them opportunities to tour the institute’s diverse research facilities.
