IIT Mandi Science on Wheels to Reach 50 Schools

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi has launched the Science on Wheels programme in Himachal Pradesh to bring hands-on science education to school students, particularly those in rural areas. The initiative aims to make scientific concepts easier to understand through practical activities, experiments and technology-based learning.

Launched in partnership with Plaksha University and the Igniting Dreams of Young Minds Foundation, the programme is supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. It plans to reach 50 schools across five districts of Himachal Pradesh, extending an initiative that has already reached more than 7,500 students in Chhattisgarh and Punjab.

IIT Mandi Launches Science on Wheels Programme

The Himachal Pradesh phase of Science on Wheels was launched on October 17 at the IIT Mandi Campus School in the presence of institute director Professor Laxmidhar Behera, according to information reported by the Press Trust of India (PTI).

The programme is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical classroom learning and practical scientific understanding. By taking structured learning activities directly to schools, it seeks to give students opportunities to explore scientific ideas through demonstrations, experiments and interactive sessions.

Students in rural communities may have fewer opportunities to access specialised science laboratories, equipment and technology-based learning experiences. Science on Wheels aims to address this gap by bringing practical educational activities to participating schools rather than requiring students to travel to a dedicated science centre.

The initiative reflects a broader effort to encourage scientific curiosity among schoolchildren and help them connect concepts taught in classrooms with their applications in everyday life and emerging technologies.

Programme to Cover 50 Schools Across Five Districts

Following its launch, Science on Wheels plans to visit 50 schools across five districts of Himachal Pradesh: Mandi, Kullu, Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Kangra.

The team began its activities in Mandi district, visiting government senior secondary schools in Badog, Baggi (K), Bari Gumanu, Batheri and Deori. These visits mark the start of the programme’s planned outreach to students in the state.

The initiative has previously reached more than 7,500 students across 70 schools in Chhattisgarh and Punjab. Its expansion into Himachal Pradesh builds on that experience, with the aim of bringing similar practical science opportunities to additional schools.

Reaching 50 schools across five districts will require the programme to serve students in different local settings. Its mobile approach is intended to make science-related learning activities more accessible to schools that may not have extensive facilities for conducting practical experiments.

Science Activities for Students From Classes VI to XII

Science on Wheels is intended for students from Classes VI to XII. Each participating school is expected to receive approximately six hours of learning activities, organised around four themes: space technology, robotics, sustainability and water filtration.

These themes introduce students to different areas of scientific inquiry, ranging from engineering and technology to environmental challenges and practical problem-solving.

Space Technology

The space technology theme can help students explore how scientific principles are applied in space exploration and related technologies. It offers a way to connect concepts from subjects such as physics and mathematics with real-world technological applications.

Robotics

Robotics introduces students to the relationship between science, engineering and technology. Practical activities in this area can help learners explore how machines are designed to perform tasks and how different components work together in a system.

Sustainability

The sustainability theme focuses on the relationship between human activities, natural resources and the environment. It provides an opportunity to introduce students to questions about resource use, environmental responsibility and practical approaches to addressing sustainability challenges.

Water Filtration

Water filtration connects scientific concepts with a familiar everyday need. Activities under this theme can help students understand how filtration works and why water treatment is important. Learning about filtration does not, by itself, establish that filtered water is safe to drink; water safety depends on the contaminants present and the treatment process used.

Together, the four themes are intended to make science more tangible for students by linking classroom concepts with practical applications. The programme’s approximately six-hour school sessions provide a structured period for students to engage with these subjects.

IIT Mandi Director Highlights the Importance of Science Education

Professor Laxmidhar Behera welcomed the initiative and emphasised the importance of developing scientific interest among children.

“Science on Wheels is a great initiative. We need to develop an interest in science amongst our children as they are the future of an Atmanirbhar Bharat,” Behera said, according to PTI.

Behera said the programme would encourage students to learn science and expressed the possibility that they could contribute to developing future technologies in India.

The emphasis on scientific curiosity is significant because early exposure to practical learning can help students see how scientific ideas are applied beyond textbooks. Activities involving technology and experimentation can also give students a clearer understanding of the subjects they may choose to pursue in higher education.

However, the programme’s long-term educational impact will depend on factors such as the quality of activities, student participation and whether schools can build on the experience after the mobile team leaves.

How Science on Wheels Could Benefit Rural Schools

For students in rural areas, access to practical science education can be shaped by the availability of laboratories, equipment, trained educators and other learning resources. A mobile programme offers one way to introduce hands-on activities without requiring every school to establish specialised facilities independently.

By visiting schools directly, Science on Wheels can expose students to scientific topics that may otherwise be difficult to demonstrate in a conventional classroom. The programme’s focus on space technology, robotics, sustainability and water filtration also connects science learning with engineering, environmental awareness and everyday problem-solving.

The initiative could be particularly useful for students who learn more effectively when they can observe a process or take part in an activity rather than rely exclusively on written explanations. Practical demonstrations can complement lessons in science and mathematics, helping learners connect abstract ideas with visible outcomes.

At the same time, short-term visits are most effective when they support continued learning. Teachers can help extend the benefits by revisiting the concepts introduced during the sessions, encouraging students to ask questions and connecting the activities with their regular school curriculum.

Partnership Brings Together Education and Science Outreach

The programme brings together IIT Mandi, Plaksha University and the Igniting Dreams of Young Minds Foundation, with support from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

The partnership provides an institutional framework for delivering science outreach beyond a single campus. IIT Mandi’s involvement also connects the initiative with a higher-education institution where science, engineering and technology are central areas of academic activity.

The programme’s expansion into Himachal Pradesh follows its reported outreach in Chhattisgarh and Punjab, where it reached more than 7,500 students in 70 schools. The planned visits to 50 schools in Himachal Pradesh will extend the initiative to students across Mandi, Kullu, Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Kangra.

The stated goal is to make science education more practical and accessible. The number of schools visited and students reached will help measure its immediate reach, while feedback from teachers and students could help assess how effectively the activities support learning.

What Comes Next for Science on Wheels in Himachal Pradesh?

With the programme launched and school visits beginning in Mandi district, the next phase will focus on reaching the planned schools across five districts. Students from Classes VI to XII will be able to participate in learning activities covering space technology, robotics, sustainability and water filtration.

The initiative aims to bring scientific experimentation closer to students who may have limited access to specialised learning resources. Its mobile format offers a way to introduce practical activities across multiple schools while encouraging curiosity about science and technology.

Science on Wheels is expected to contribute to science outreach in Himachal Pradesh by complementing classroom teaching with practical learning. Whether its impact extends beyond the scheduled sessions will depend on how students engage with the activities and how schools reinforce the lessons afterward.

For IIT Mandi and its partners, the programme represents an effort to expand access to science education beyond the university campus. Its planned outreach to 50 schools will provide the next stage in the initiative’s work to encourage scientific interest among rural school students.