Himachal: IIT Mandi concludes PRAYAS 3.0, month-long STEM outreach for school students

Mandi, Jul 14 (PTI) The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi on Monday concluded the third edition of its flagship outreach initiative, 'PRAYAS 3.0', with a formal valedictory ceremony held on campus.

The programme, aimed at fostering curiosity and scientific temperament among school students, offered a month-long immersive exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Students from schools across the region stayed on campus and participated in workshops, lectures, lab visits and team projects designed to make STEM learning engaging and accessible, the institute said.

Highlights of the programme included introductory programming sessions, circuit design and mechanical prototyping activities.

A Robo Soccer competition, where students designed and controlled robots to play soccer, marked many students' first hands-on experience with robotics.

"The excitement on their faces as they controlled their robots on the soccer field was priceless," a student mentor said.

Head of the Centre for Continuing Education at IIT Mandi, Tushar Jain, said, "PRAYAS is about planting seeds of curiosity... We hope the learning and confidence they have gained here will leave an indelible mark." "Through our interactive workshops, hands-on robotics, coding, and engineering design classes and exposure to cutting-edge research facilities at IIT Mandi, we aim to demystify science and technology for school students," he added.

The valedictory session concluded with distribution of certificates. IIT Mandi is one of the second-generation IITs located in Kamand Valley of Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district. PTI COR OZ OZ