Nurturing young innovators

A new laboratory called Geometers in Tonca is giving schoolchildren a chance to explore science hands-on

RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT KURIOCITY

Curiosity in childhood can spark a lifelong love for learning. In Tonca, Miramar, Geometers is making this happen by providing a hands-on lab where children can explore science through engaging experiments.

Founded by two PhD students, Ankit Sinha and Shiva Singh, this space encourages children to move beyond textbooks and gain knowledge through real-world experiences.

Sinha specialises in physical sciences, while Singh focuses on biology, allowing children to explore a diverse range of subjects under their mentorship. The lab offers activities that vary from inflating balloons to building drones, microscopes, telescopes, and binoculars. Despite their busy schedules, they dedicate their evenings to this initiative.

“Even though we come from different backgrounds, we agreed that the method of conducting science, grounded in practical experience, is consistent across all scientific disciplines,” says Sinha.

He explains that he became interested in physics after reading Richard Feynman’s book ‘Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!’ “In the book, Feynman talks about how he used creative thinking to fix radios as a child. Later, I read his well-known textbook series, The Feynman Lectures on Physics. I saw that he understood electrical concepts well and was also good at making connections between these ideas and other areas of science. This made me realise that having hands-on experiences early on is important for developing a lasting interest in science,” he says.

Sinha further says that while he knows practical science is taught in schools, he feels there is something lacking there that fails to spark scientific curiosity in children. “After thinking about it, I realised that independence and accessibility are the main factors preventing kids from getting the hands-on experiences they need to engage with science.”

This inspired him to consider setting up a facility that provides tools and scientific products within residential communities. “Such a facility would help establish a system of scientific autonomy, allowing anyone to engage in science at their own pace. Two years ago, I met Shiva during my early PhD days and shared this idea with her and she expressed great interest in it,’” says Sinha.

At Geometers, children have the opportunity to see and experiment with the concepts they are learning or are about to learn in school. “Early exposure to phenomena prepares them to tackle the complex theories that arise in later stages of their scientific education,” explains Sinha, adding that around 10 to 12 children from the nearby locality are currently using the lab. Adults have also expressed interest in the initiative.

However, setting up the lab came with challenges, especially since the duo used scholarship money to fund it. “Although we faced financial difficulties, we were prepared for them because we had saved money during the first two years. With the funding we received, we could improve the lab by acquiring more tools and scientific equipment,” says Sinha.

He adds that one surprising aspect of working with children in this lab is how quickly they lose interest in long school lectures. “But here, they become excited about hands-on projects like robotics and drones. Although these projects can be complex, the children learn a lot from their mistakes. When one child shares an idea they found elsewhere, it often inspires others to try similar things with their own twists, showcasing the endless possibilities they have,” says Sinha. “They’ve even started exploring old toys, like remote-controlled cars, that had been sitting unused for years.”

He has also noticed some changes in the children who come regularly. “They are taking on tasks that require focus and attention. One child started soldering, and others showed interest in soldering simple electrical circuits they had made before. After completing a few projects, some of them began to think about building more complex machines, which shows their increasing confidence,” he says. Some kids have also repaired simple machines and started asking for more machines to fix. “These experiences demonstrate that they are learning in an enjoyable and natural way.”

The lab has a wide selection of books on activities and experiments, and the duo is working on creating a catalogue that includes a variety of activities from both online and offline sources. “By organising these activities into different categories, we can help the kids select the areas they are most interested in exploring. The catalogue will include categories such as optics, mechanics, electrical, thermodynamics, and more,” says Sinha.

He adds that they also encourage students to join projects that he and Singh are currently working on. “While they can explore their own interests, we also share interesting ideas from our fields to help them decide what they want to work on,” he says.

The duo now plans to collaborate with schools and community organisations to raise awareness about Geometers by holding workshops in educational institutions.  “These workshops will provide participants with hands-on experience and help them learn more about the facility. However, we are currently facing funding issues that are slowing down this initiative,” says Sinha.

In the future, they also plan to establish this kind of facility in various places, starting with housing societies and complexes that can utilise unused common spaces in their clubhouses.

“Science education today is often too rigid, with strict schedules that create pressure to complete the syllabus. This has resulted in a growing disconnect between practical and theoretical knowledge. Geometers is developing a new approach to science that removes these limitations, making it accessible anytime and anywhere. You have the freedom to choose when to study, without anyone telling you what hours to follow. Also, you don’t need to go to a specific place to learn; you can engage with science hands-on, as it should be.”

– Ankit Sinha

“Making breakthroughs in pure sciences often takes many years of hard work and patience, and this journey can only be enjoyable if students enjoy doing science. Science involves both practical and theoretical components, and Geometers will provide students with the skills they need for the practical side of scientific work.”

– Ankit Sinha

PICS BY HEMANT PARAB