IIT Madras is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative, known as the ‘Device Engineering Lab’ (DEL), aimed at bringing fundamental scientific and engineering concepts to rural schools in Tamil Nadu. This program, initiated by ‘Teach to Learn,’ focuses on providing hands-on education in scientific principles to students. The innovative twist lies in incorporating 3D-printing technology to create everyday objects and toys. The DEL initiative serves as a platform for capacity building, offering a comprehensive three-year curriculum catering to students in grades VIII, IX, X, or XI.
DEL introduces students to a wide array of practical, low-cost devices commonly found in their daily lives, rooted in the school curriculum’s scientific principles. By connecting IIT Madras students with their counterparts in rural schools, the program aims to instill a ‘Culture of Making’ at the school level and nurture design and fabrication skills. Additionally, the initiative seeks to foster an entrepreneurial mindset, potentially opening doors to future livelihood opportunities.
Course Components DEL consists of two parallel training components: Device Engineering Concepts and 3D Printing. The teaching approach emphasizes hands-on experimentation, allowing students to gain practical experience. Students learn 3D printing, primarily utilizing the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technique. The complexity and difficulty of devices and printed objects increase progressively over the three-year program.
Project Lead Prof. Pijush Ghosh from the Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering stated, “We believe that the 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, finding learning a lot more interesting.”
Innovative Content Creation The DEL initiative involved the collaboration of approximately 200 postgraduate students from 25 research labs. They developed content for around 30 devices within the DEL Labs and created comprehensive teaching modules, including documentation, PowerPoint presentations, and ‘Train the Trainer’ modules. In a significant milestone, 30 postgraduate students recently provided direct instruction on device-related concepts to rural students as part of this project.
Present Status Currently, DEL Labs are operational in 13 schools, predominantly in the areas of Chengalpet, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Krishnagiri, as confirmed by IIT Madras.
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