3M India celebrated one year of inspiring future innovators through one of its STEM initiatives this year. In 2023, 3M India partnered with the Learning Links Foundation to establish 3M Wonder Tinkering Labs at ten government schools with an aim to ignite a passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) among middle school students (Grades 5th – 10th), stimulate interest and inculcate problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, leadership, and decision-making skills among students.
Government-aided schools across the Ranjangaon and Shikrapur region were enrolled in this program, benefiting over 3,800 students who are learning scientific concepts through hands-on activities. The program has also established 10 ‘Young Wonderers Science Clubs’ to nurture students’ creativity and curiosity. The labs are well-equipped with laptops, projectors, DIY kits, robotic kits, and other tinkering materials for exploration.
The program celebrated its one-year milestone with an Annual Science Carnival, where students showcased their innovation and creativity through 20 prototypes around themes such as agriculture, artificial intelligence, waste management, sustainability, and safety. The exhibits were a testament to the incredible impact of the 3M Wonder Tinkering Labs on students’ critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Among the innovative projects were a system employing alcohol detectors in trucks to prevent intoxicated driving and a versatile agricultural device that assists farmers with sowing seeds, ploughing fields, and other tasks.
The projects demonstrated the students’ ability to apply STEM knowledge to real-world challenges, proving that these bright minds are the future problem solvers of their community and the country. The competition was judged by Shashibhushan Singh, Ex-Director DRDO; Asmita Chakraborty, 3M scientist; Sanchita Jadhav, Cluster Plant HR Manager and Mahendra Yadav, HR Manager from the Ranjangaon plant.
Building on the success in Shirur, 3M Wonder Tinkering Lab is being extended to Bengaluru, covering ten schools in and around 3M’s manufacturing facility in Electronics City. The setup of the STEM Labs is in progress, with an official program launch scheduled for later this year.
Commenting on this initiative Mr. Ramesh Ramadurai, MD, 3M India said, “As we celebrate the achievements of the past year, we look forward to continuing our commitment to nurturing young innovators who will drive India’s progress in science and technology. The impact generated by the 3M Wonder Tinkering Labs reaffirms our belief that with the right opportunities and support, the future generation is well-equipped to thrive and make significant contributions to society.”
