In a major step to promote scientific curiosity and hands-on learning at the grassroots level, the Karnataka government will set up ‘Innovation Labs’ in more than 60 residential schools across the state, Science and Technology Minister N S Boseraju said on Thursday.
He announced this while inaugurating the ‘National Science Day’ celebrations held by the Department of Science and Technology at the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in Bengaluru. Explaining the government’s efforts to attract rural students towards advanced technology, Boseraju said that both ‘Nehru Stream Labs’ and ‘Innovation Labs’ are being introduced across the state.
He said that in collaboration with the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB), new ‘Nehru Stream Labs’ are being established in Karnataka Public Schools in the Kalyana Karnataka region. He further stated that under the SCSP (Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan) and TSP (Tribal Sub-Plan) grants for the 2025–26 academic year, Rs 6 crore has been earmarked to set up ‘Innovation Labs’ in more than 60 residential schools.
“Science must become an integral part of improving everyday life. Driven by our vision of 'Science for All' and 'Easy Science,' we aim to instil a strong scientific temper among students right from their school days,” the minister said in a statement. “To move beyond rote textbook learning and encourage activity-based education, we are building Nehru Stream Labs in the Kalyana Karnataka region and Innovation Labs in backward-class residential schools. This will significantly help in sparking an interest in innovation and future technologies among our rural students,” he added.
Speaking at the event, School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa encouraged students to develop a scientific mindset and nurture their curiosity so they can make new discoveries. Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar also addressed the gathering. He advised students to reduce mobile phone usage and focus more on reading and sports.
He urged young generation to make full use of the opportunities provided by the government to drive innovation. At the same event, the Department of Science and Technology honoured four high school girls from rural, tribal and marginalised communities in Karnataka for their breakthrough research in green chemistry.
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