The K. V. Raghavan Changemaker Fellowship Launch Forum Inspired by Founder Trustee Shri K. V. Raghavan’s belief that “people matter most,” this fellowship brings together changemakers to learn, collaborate, and grow together. The journey began with a 5-day launch forum at the Agastya Creativity Campus, Gudivanka, Andhra Pradesh, bringing together educators, innovators, and leaders from 21 organizations across India, all rethinking education in their own contexts. More than a gathering, the forum created space for dialogue, reflection, and co-creation through immersive sessions, conversations, and shared experiences. Participants also engaged closely with distinguished guests, gaining insights through talks and one-on-one interactions. National Recognition for Plastic Waste Awareness Initiative Agastya International Foundation has been recognized at the National Excellence Awards 2026 for its work in advancing awareness on plastic waste management through the YiPPee! Better World program, supported by ITC Limited. The initiative has reached over 2 million children across 22 states, bringing practical, easy-to-understand conversations on plastic waste into everyday learning spaces. Through simple, hands-on activities and discussions, children are beginning to look at waste differently and think about their role in reducing it. This recognition highlights a growing movement where awareness is turning into everyday action, with children emerging as igniters of change within their homes and communities. Agastya's Annual Employees' Meet at the Campus Creativity Lab Prerana, Agastya’s Annual Employees meet, brought together teams from across India under one roof to reflect, question, and realign at the Campus Creativity Lab, Gudivanka, Andhra Pradesh, from 23 to 25 April 2026. Through open conversations and shared experiences, teams explored how collaboration shapes the way we work and move forward together. Different roles, one purpose returning with clearer direction and stronger connections. Bringing Hands-on Science to Children with Gurukrupa Foundation Over the past year, a Mobile Science Lab (MSL), supported by the Gurukrupa Foundation, has been bringing hands-on science learning to schools across Thiruvallur, Chennai, reaching over 2,000 children. Through simple and interactive experiments, children are exploring scientific concepts in a more engaging and practical way. The sessions have seen enthusiastic participation, with children actively asking questions, experimenting, and learning through direct experience. The initiative has also received encouraging support from schools and local communities, reflecting a growing interest in making science learning more accessible and enjoyable for children.

A New Space to Look Up and Wonder The Akasha Astronomical Observatory was inaugurated at Agastya Campus Creativity Lab, Gudivanka, Andhra Pradesh, on 21st March 2026. The inauguration was held in the presence of Dr. M. A. Ramaswamy and his family, along with Phani Tangirala and his team Set under clear, unpolluted skies of the Campus, the observatory is equipped with advanced telescopes and a fully functional dome that allows children to observe planets, nebulae, and distant galaxies in remarkable detail. It opens up space not just as a concept but as something they can see, question, and explore, turning curiosity into a hands-on learning experience that stays with them long after the night sky fades. The endeavor has been made possible through the generous support of the family of Dr. M. A. Ramaswamy and Expleo Solutions Limited. A Shared Win for Sustainability Agastya is honored to receive the Karnataka Excellence Award for Transformational Impact in Plastic Waste Management at the Karnataka Awards 2026. The award recognises ITC Limited and Agastya’s efforts to build a sustainable future through the YiPPee! Better World hosted a Plastic Waste Management Awareness Program, supported by ITC Limited. Dilip Kumar Gowda, Chief Experience Officer, Karnataka, accepted this prestigious award from the National Excellence Council on behalf of Agastya. Exploring the World Through Data: DataVerse Expo 2026 Agastya hosted the DataVerse Expo 2026 at the Campus Creativity Lab in Gudivanka, showcasing innovative projects created by children in the NetApp Data Explorers Lab, supported by NetApp Inc. With 42 teams presenting projects linked to real-world challenges and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Expo became a vibrant space where children shared ideas and learned from one another beyond classrooms. The event saw participation from over 500 children, offering them a glimpse into viewing the world through a data lens, asking questions and building practical solutions. The NetApp Data Explorers Lab at Agastya’s campus is an experiential learning space designed to equip students with hands-on data literacy and real-world problem-solving skills. The lab comprises two fully equipped classrooms, each with 15 high-end computers, and delivers a data science curriculum developed in collaboration with TERC and The Tech Interactive. The learning experience is further enhanced through the use of CODAP, enabling students to explore, analyse, and derive insights from data through inquiry-led learning.

One day, my wife told me, “Ani, let us remove this digital clock and put an analog clock.” A little puzzled, I asked, “Why?” She replied that numbers are being introduced to Sriranga, our 4-year-old son, in his Montessori school. I felt it was a good idea, as school and home should complement each other in a child's learning. On the same day, we brought a simple analog clock with decimal numerals, removed the digital clock, and hung the ‘new’ one on the wall. Though we thought this would help him familiarize himself with the numbers and their ordering, we were greatly surprised by the benefits it brought. The emergent learning was much more than intended! The clock quietly became his companion. Six months later, he could not only recognize the numbers on the clock but also: Identify the long and short arms, Distinguish which arm moves faster, Think about what number comes after another number, Recognize which number is greater. AI generated image In addition to this, it also brought some sense of discipline and a common ground for agreement. Whenever his mother asks him to come for lunch or go to bed, he looks at the clock and negotiates, saying, “let the big arm come to...” — and he follows it. A great relief for parents! D. V. Gundappa, one of Kannada’s greatest poets, wrote:“ಎಳೆ ಮಕ್ಕಳೊಳು ತಿಳಿವು ಮೊಳೆತು ಬೆಳೆವುದು ನೋಡು, ಇಳೆಯೊಳಗದೊಂದು ಸೊಗ ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ”(One of the greatest joys in the world is to watch a young child learn and grow.) This joy is amplified when parents and adults facilitate it — not by constantly instructing, but by creating environments where learning occurs naturally. This highlights that engaging children with some old analog systems gives them more scope to conceptualize and connect ideas. However, we are overwhelmingly surrounded by ‘digital’ visuals. Sometimes, we need to take a step back for the sake of learning. We are now thinking of bringing back the calendar, hanging it on the wall, and referring to it in his presence. We are excited! Based in Mysuru, Karnataka, Ananthnag M works with Agastya’s Teacher Transformation Program.

Education, at its core, is meant to be the nurturing of a human being—the mind, the heart, and the soul. With the evolution of its meaning in today’s time, education seems to have been reduced to a formula for earning a livelihood. It’s more or less basically a linear progression—grades, college, job, salary—one after the other, with no time to pause or sigh. And it is t his perspective that has stripped education of off its deeper purpose. Of course, the obvious fear of survival is natural, and while it is valid, there is also a certain fear that modern society has cultivated and wrapped around itself, that masks any sort of creativity and self-reflection.   What education should really be about is going beyond acquiring skills or knowledge; It should open doors to understanding, curiosity, connection, and help us engage substantially with the world. It is not about preparation for an exam or a career – that’s called mugging up. It is in fact a preparation for life itself, and it begins with understanding ourselves. As kids, in schools, all we did was attend classes from 9 to 3, teachers read out of prescribed textbooks, made us copy notes and answers, appear for exams with a need for good grades, while what we really needed was a holistic environment. Luckily enough, I had the opportunity to experience such type of schooling and receive that kind of education where I grew as a person, and not just as a student. When I was in the 6th grade in Rishi Valley School (KFI), we had an unusual homework in the module of ‘living organisms’ given to us by our science teacher: to choose a tree anywhere around the valley, sit with it every day for an hour or longer if we wished to, and become friends with it. In the vast green campus that we had, I decided to choose the Krishnamurti Banyan Tree, in short, the KBT. Each day, I would sit under its shade, noticing its rough bark, the ants crawling up its trunk, and seeing it sway with the wind. At first, it seemed a bit silly- how does one even become friends with a TREE. Puzzler. But eventually I think I came around to understand it. I gave it a shot by starting to talk to the tree. I would tell it about my day, share my thoughts that I would never share with anyone, and sometimes just sit quietly, listening to it rustle. Overtime, what started as a homework, began feeling like a friendship – a quiet grounded friendship. I felt a connection and an attachment that was as comforting as a warm hug.   It’s been 10 years now, and I still somewhat grapple with the purpose of this assignment. To get some clarity, I called up my teacher to ask what the purpose was. She said that it was to understand that learning does not have to be something technical, academic, and something that merely books can give. It is this spiritual learning that is also required, which helps us connect with nature, and be with another being. It wasn’t just about observing the physical aspects of the tree, rather also about having a relationship with it. A friend of mine had her own profound experience with her tree. Struggling with homesickness at a boarding school, she sought solace beneath her tree. There, she wept for an hour, and in the quiet embrace of the tree, she found a strange kind of comfort—a soothing presence that seemed to heal her in ways words cannot describe. We always see the world very materialistically, as members so used to this urban society. A PhD in Agriculture might be one of the highest degrees, but it’s the farmer who is far more knowledgeable, because he is the one who has lived-connected with the earth.   And this is what I would call holistic growth. This exercise taught me patience, empathy, and how to pay attention. Education like this goes beyond academics. It teaches us how to live fully, to question with curiosity, to care for the world deeply, and it took me nine schools to understand this.   This connection with nature is one of the fundamentals of right education. We are all aware of the ways of the world and the way life becomes so frenetic, that you have no time to pause and think. For this, I think nature has a remarkable ability to clear the mind, allowing us to see things more clearly, and to be more in contact with yourself. Moolikavana, conceptual garden at Agastya Agastya here, has made that possible by building a sustainable space for learning rooted in local biodiversity of Kuppam. Its conceptual garden like the Moolikavana is thoughtfully designed to establish an “umbilical connection with human anatomy” as observed by Dr. Yelappa Reddy. The unique design of Moolikavana intertwines science and spirituality. By aligning each medicinal plant with the corresponding part of the human body it heals, the garden serves the fact of our interdependence with the natural world. It reinforces how the body and nature are intrinsically linked. So, if you ever find yourself disconnected and frenetic, take a walk and talk to a tree.

In the Inspirational Indians series of Agastya, Arvind Gupta, a renowned educator and a toy inventor, has spent decades demonstrating how simple, low-cost toys made from discarded materials can be powerful tools for learning. One of the most striking examples he shares is his spinning top. The spinning top is a perfect instance of how sustainability and education can go hand in hand. Instead of relying on mass-produced plastic toys, Arvind Gupta repurposes everyday waste like bottle caps, cycle spokes, and old CDs—into engaging learning tools. Everything has a life—objects, materials, even the things we discard without a thought. An ink cartridge could have been refilled, a bottle cap could have spun a little longer, a chips packet could have been woven into something. But so often, we cut their stories short, treating them as disposable rather than unfinished. The question is why do we not wonder more about where things could go instead of where they came from? Why is waste always an ending, and never a possibility? Education, in its truest sense, should not just fill minds but open them, to the idea that creation doesn’t always require something new, that making and remaking are part of the same cycle. A child who learns to build a spinning top from a discarded CD is discovering, and seeing, maybe for the first time, that an object’s purpose is not rigid, that imagination can stretch the lifespan of things. And isn’t that a kind of intelligence too? To look at what others throw away and see not loss, but potential? Perhaps waste is not about what is no longer useful. Perhaps it is about what we fail to see. Here Arving Gupta's philosophy extends far beyond a single toy. He has designed hundreds of science experiments and toys using upcycled materials, from balloon-powered cars made from used pens to matchstick bridges and paper circuits. This approach not only reduces environmental waste but also makes science more accessible to children everywhere. It teaches more than just physics or engineering; it nurtures a mindset of resourcefulness and sustainability. In a world struggling with excessive waste, Arvind Gupta’s work is a reminder that innovation doesn’t always require high five techniques and materials because sometimes, the best solutions are hidden in the bin. Just like Geppetto, who turned a block of wood - something perished - into Pinocchio - something so real and alive, Arvind Gupta breathes new life into the forgotten.

InnoFest, Vidya Vahini, National Science Fair InnoFest 2026, the National Science Fair at the National Science Centre, New Delhi, brought together young innovators from 15 districts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana for two lively days of exploration and hands-on learning. Organized under the Vidya Vahini Program in collaboration with Hyundai Motor India Foundation, the event saw 42 children present 29 science models. Each project reflected curiosity and a strong connection to real-world challenges, shaped through hands-on learning with Agastya Ignators. Curated tours of the National Science Centre added to the experience, while over 1500 participants turned InnoFest 2026 into a vibrant space for ideas and innovation. Jignyasa: National Level Science Model Making Competition The National Level Jignyasa Event 2026 took place in Pune on February 17–18, in partnership with Samsung Semiconductor India Research. What began as a nationwide wave of ideas with over 4,300 student projects and 300+ Teaching Learning Material (TLM) submissions from 24 states, came together on one stage. From 40+ regional events, 77 student projects and 22 teacher innovations made it to the national showcase. With more than 2,000 people in attendance, event buzzed with curiosity and innovation, alongside panel sessions featuring scientists and educators who brought fresh perspectives on learning. The 4Cs - Curiosity, Creativity, Confidence, and Caring formed the heart of Ramji Raghavan’s public lecture at Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribag. Drawing from his journey as the Founder and Chairperson of Agastya, he spoke about how curiosity leads to deeper exploration and growth. The session left the audience with a simple yet powerful thought: a small spark of curiosity can become the ignitor for lifelong discovery. Young Innovators from Kuppam Win Gold at IRIS National Fair Children from Agastya’s Innovation Hub in Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh, have won the Gold Medal at the IRIS National Fair 2025–26 , held in Ahmedabad, for their project, “Innovative Wheelchair for Limb-Impaired Users.” Their idea stood out for its thoughtful design and real-world relevance, showing how young minds can turn empathy into innovation. Competing alongside 60 other projects, the team of young innovators presented a solution that addressed the problem of inclusivity in manner that reflected caring and empathy. Gomia Welcomes Indradhanush: A Celebration of Science, Creativity, and Discovery The Indradhanush STEM science exhibition was held at PITTS Modern School in Gomia, Jharkhand, on 2 February 2026. The event saw the participation of 450 children and welcomed over 5,000 visitors, turning the day into a vibrant celebration of science and imagination. From Pinpricks to Oceans | Adhirath Sethi | TEDxKristu Jayanti University A young Einstein captivated by a compass, and a child in rural India discovering science through a simple experiment - these were some of the stories that set the tone at TEDx Kristu Jayanti University. Adhirath Sethi, Board of Trustees member at Agastya International Foundation, connected these moments through reflections on how curiosity, when nurtured through hands-on learning, can reshape how children engage with science and the world around them. His talk drew from Agastya’s 25-year journey, chronicled by him in The Moving of Mountains .

"Looking at these buildings makes you want to study here." We were honored to welcome the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, to Agastya’s Creativity Campus at Gudivanka, Andhra Pradesh. During his visit, he inaugurated the state-of-the-art teacher transformation center, Agastya Vidyachal Academy, and laid the foundation for the Oberoi Visitor's Center and a learner's accommodation center. In an inspiring address to children, he emphasized the power of creativity and innovation. He praised the campus for its clean air and imaginative architecture. He remarked, “Looking at these buildings makes you want to study here.” His words resonated deeply, highlighting the unique environment Agastya fosters. He noted that the Agastya campus stands apart as the only hub bringing together so many innovations under one roof. He described it as a glimpse into the future of Andhra Pradesh and India. Watch his visionary speech above. Synquizitive Science Quiz Competition Synquizitive, an annual science quiz supported by Syngene , concluded its Bengaluru edition at the Science Gallery. This event brought together children to showcase their curiosity, teamwork, and scientific thinking. The atmosphere reflected the spirit of exploration. Participants engaged with challenging questions, collaborative problem-solving, and lively discussions that made science feel accessible and exciting. Led by Agastya’s ignators, the initiative has reached over 30,000 children across Karnataka and Telangana. It transforms science into an engaging, hands-on experience that encourages questioning, discovery, and joyful learning. Aha! Kollective Art & Creativity Fair Art, imagination, and emotions came together at the Aha! Kollective Art & Creativity Fair. This five-day celebration took place at Agastya’s Creativity Campus in Gudivanka, Andhra Pradesh. This year’s edition included six zones filled with immersive installations, workshops, and galleries. The theme was “The World Within and The World We See.” Over 2,500 children, 40 Young Instructors, and 30 college volunteers participated in the fair, supported by Adobe Systems India Pvt. Ltd. Anveshana Science and Engineering Fair Anveshana Science and Engineering Fairs are bringing together young innovators across India to explore innovation and engineering. Focused on semiconductors, AI, and innovation for rural India, the fairs have sparked immense curiosity and hands-on learning. This year, over 2,500 project ideas were submitted. Additionally, 260 engineering students and 260 children worked alongside Agastya Ignators to build and solve real-world problems. The fairs welcomed over 5,000 visiting children, turning each space into a hub of exploration and imagination. Organized in collaboration with Samsung Semiconductor India Research in Mumbai, Pune, and Hyderabad, and with Synopsys in Bhopal, Anveshana brings young innovators together in meaningful ways. The Impact of Creativity in Education Creativity plays a crucial role in education. It fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By engaging in creative activities, children learn to express themselves and explore new ideas. This is essential for their personal development and future success. At Agastya, the focus is on STEAM learning. This approach integrates science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. It encourages students to think outside the box. They learn to collaborate and innovate. This is vital for the next generation of leaders and thinkers. Join the Movement You can be part of this transformative journey. By supporting initiatives like Agastya, you contribute to a brighter future for underserved children and teachers across India. Together, we can empower 100 million children and 1 million teachers by 2032 through creativity and innovation.

Extra Boost For Curiosity: New Mobile Science Lab in Hyderabad A new Mobile Science Lab (MSL), supported by Thermo Fisher Scientific India , was inaugurated at Zilla Parishad High School, Pragathi Nagar, Hyderabad. To mark the launch, a science fair brought together over 600 children who showcased their creative experiments and innovative ideas. The MSL is designed to travel to remote schools, setting up hands-on science sessions where children can explore experiments, interact with scientific models, and apply concepts in real time. Through these interactive sessions, the MSL helps children develop problem-solving skills, sparks curiosity, and nurtures a scientific mindset. Digi-Kshetra Brings Digital Learning to Life Over 550 children and 40 teachers came together at the Digi-Kshetra tech fair in Delhi to explore Scratch programming, MS Office tools, Tux typing, and computer hardware. A sensor-based project built with the Cretile kit stole the spotlight, sparking excitement and inspiring young innovators. Digi-Kshetra, supported by Adobe , is a modern digital learning hub that empowers students with 21st-century skills. Through hands-on sessions in robotics, drones, IoT, programming, AI, creative media, and virtual reality, the Hub makes technology learning fun, practical, and inspiring. Its mission is simple: nurture curiosity, creativity, and confidence in the digital world. Creativity to Classrooms Through Vida Vahini A Teacher Training Program (TTP) was conducted at the District Institute of Education & Training, Ikauna, Uttar Pradesh, on 3rd and 4th September 2025. The training was supported by the Hyundai Motor India Foundation under the Vidya Vahini project. 16 teachers teachers participated in the session and trained in hands-on methods using low-cost models and simple experiments on topics like Acid-Base reactions and Metals and Non-Metals. The session focused on practical learning techniques that make classroom teaching more engaging and accessible. Teachers appreciated the program’s relevance and shared how it will help them bring creativity and curiosity into their lessons. Operation Vasantha Transforms With Digital Learning Centers Digital Learning Centers have been set up under Operation Vasantha night village centers, in collaboration with ApniPathshala . Six schools in the Kuppam region of Andhra Pradesh and five in North Karnataka now host these centers, promoting digital literacy for children and youth. Powered by dedicated volunteers, the centers provide a lifeline to those with limited access to traditional schooling. Beyond academics, they foster holistic development through arts and crafts, reading sessions, and hygiene awareness, nurturing both digital and life skills for the future.

The Innovative Education Conclave was organized at Agastya Campus Creativity Lab, at Gudivanka, near Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh from 18th to 20th December 2025. The Conclave was held in collaboration with Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), India's largest education board. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is one of the largest and most influential school education boards in the world. It currently affiliates over 30,000 schools in India, covering 1.3 million teachers and 40 million children. Known for its strong emphasis on STEM education, competency-based learning, and continuous curriculum reforms, CBSE plays a pivotal role in shaping school education in India. The conclave brought together 70 school principals and senior officials from CBSE-affiliated schools across 20 states, along with senior leadership from CBSE. The aim was to encourage participants to Agastya’s experiential learning approach and understand the challenges and opportunities in education from the principals and educators. The event featured laboratory visits (art studio, innovation hub, physics, chemistry, biology, biodiscovery lab, and math park), a planetarium session, and hands-on model-building activities, immersing participants in experiential learning. Besides the lab visits, the conclave featured inspiring addresses by   Ramji Raghavan, Founder and Chairperson of Agastya, and interactive sessions by eminent scientists, including Dr. A. S. Kiran Kumar, Former Chairman, ISRO, and Former Secretary, Department of Space, and Dr. V. K. Aatre, Former Head, DRDO, who shared perspectives on innovation, scientific temper, and education for a rapidly emerging India. The conclave witnessed the participation of senior leadership from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), including Rahul Singh, IAS, Chairperson, CBSE; Himanshu Gupta, IAS, Secretary, CBSE; Manoj K. Srivastava, Director (Training), CBSE; Vivek Kumar Singh, IRSEE, Chief Vigilance Officer, CBSE and Dr. Ram Shankar, Director and Regional Officer & Head, Centre of Excellence, Dubai, shared insights on leadership, teacher professional development, and innovation in school education. Agastya’s Teacher Transformation Program team also engaged participants in experiencing constructivist pedagogical methodologies and creating model-making activities through a hands-on approach. As part of the conclave, Agastya also unveiled the book Teaching Reimagined – Journeys of Impactful Educators , a compilation of success stories from teachers, with a foreword by Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan. Participants appreciated the campus's unique blend of natural surroundings and well-equipped laboratory facilities, citing its potential to boost student engagement. A demo on constructivist teaching resonated with participants, encouraging student-led exploration. The conclave concluded with a shared commitment among CBSE educators and leaders to explore collaborations with Agastya for institutionalizing experiential learning approaches within their schools, intending to enrich science education and nurture curiosity-driven learning.

Iconic Organisation in Transformational Education We are honored to be recognized by Outlook Business as an “Iconic Organization in Transformational Education.” The award affirms our vision to nurture a new generation of tinkerers, creators, innovators, and solution-seekers individuals who are humane in outlook, grounded in values, and connected to the world around them. At the heart of the Agastya learning experience is a simple belief: every child carries an innate creative spirit. Through hands-on exploration, experimentation, discovery, and real-world application, this curiosity finds expression in classrooms and communities alike. The award was received on behalf of the Agastya team by Sai Chandrashekar Chandrasekhar, Executive Director – Operations. Read the feature on page 33 on outlookindia.com. NetApp partners with Agastya to introduce data and Al learning to Children Agastya, in collaboration with NetApp, has inaugurated the Data Explorers Lab at the Kuppam campus. The lab opens is a hands-on space where children explore data and AI through real-world contexts. From patterns to problem-solving, learning here begins with curiosity and doing. The space is a step towards making data learning feel real, relatable, and rooted in experience. India's largest education board visits Agastya's Campus Creativity Lab The Innovative Education Conclave 2025, held at the Campus Creativity Lab in Kuppam, brought together leaders from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), school principals, and educators from across the country for meaningful conversations on learning and leadership. National Mathematics Day Agastya celebrated National Mathematics Day across India, marking the birth anniversary of legendary mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. Through math fairs held in multiple locations, children engaged with numbers, patterns, and problem-solving through hands-on activities. These experiences helped break down complex mathematical ideas into simple, relatable learning moments, making mathematics more accessible and enjoyable for children.

The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Harini Nireka Amarasuriya, recently visited Agastya’s Science Center in Delhi. During her visit, she explored various learning spaces and interacted with the dedicated team. She witnessed Agastya’s hands-on learning in action. Children engaged with science models, showcasing their curiosity and imagination. The Prime Minister expressed her appreciation for how these experiences are sparking a love for learning in young minds across India. Young Innovators Shine on a Global Stage Children from Agastya’s design thinking programs recently shined at the Invent Future Global Innovation Challenge. This event brought together over 250 participants from 34 countries. Among the 30 global finalists, four projects created by Agastya children stood out. These projects included: Easing the Journey of Delivery Workers (from the Innovation-on-Bike Program supported by Adobe) Innovative Wheelchair for Limb-Impaired Users Biodegradable Care: Creating Eco-Friendly Sanitary Pads Smart Dustbin (from the Innovation Hub supported by LSI India Research & Development Pvt. Ltd) These ideas reflect the children’s curiosity, creativity, and confidence. They designed solutions that not only address real-world problems but also inspire change. Parents Experience the Impact of Digi-Kshetra's Tech-Driven Learning Agastya believes that parents play a vital role in a child’s learning journey. To deepen this connection, parents were invited to the Digi-Kshetra Center in Peenya. Here, they experienced digital learning firsthand. They explored how their children engage with robotics, programming, artificial intelligence, and other activities. Through immersive, hands-on sessions, parents gained a closer look at the future-ready skills their children are building.

The Mobile Science Lab, supported by HDFC Bank Parivartan, was inaugurated recently. This program is set to benefit 18 schools and over 3,800 children at the Nashik Municipal Corporation School Raigad Chowk in Maharashtra. The launch opened a new space for children to explore science through hands-on models, simple experiments, and curious questions. Visitors also joined a small exhibition where children shared ideas on topics like day-night cycles, seasons, and the human body. This initiative represents a significant step toward making creative, practical science learning accessible to every child. Children Discover the Power of Energy Conservation at Urja Mela On November 5th, 161 children and 37 teachers from 8 states participated in “Urja Mela,” celebrating energy conservation and sustainability. The children displayed models and prototypes created in Agastya’s Lab-on-a-Bike program, supported by TATA Power. They shared creative ideas on energy and sustainability through model making, quizzes, and poster competitions. With Labs-on-a-Bikes, guided by skilled ignitors, learning takes STEM programs to India's remotest areas. Motorbikes carry compact labs-in-a-box, delivering STEM models, videos, quizzes, and more. This initiative ignites curiosity and inspires young minds to build a sustainable future. A New Step Toward Plastic-Smart Learning in Vijayapura, Karnataka The Acti-Learn Plastic Smart Workbook was introduced under ITC Limited YiPPee!’s Better World CSR program. It was launched at the Agastya Core Science Activity Centre in Vijayapura, Karnataka. This workbook helps children understand plastic waste, recycling, and sustainability through simple, activity-based learning. The event brought together children and teachers from across Vijayapura and North Karnataka. A total of 30,000 workbooks were shared, and hands-on sessions were held. The initiative aims to build early awareness about plastic waste management and encourage meaningful, everyday actions for a cleaner future. A Celebration of Ideas at the Science and Technology Quiz Agastya’s Core Science Activity Centers in Bidar and Gulbarga hosted a lively Science and Technology Quiz Program, supported by Texas Instruments India. The event brought together 600 children and 100 teachers from 89 government primary schools. It turned the day into a friendly arena of curiosity and quick thinking. With every round, children enjoyed exploring science through playful, interactive questions that sparked fresh ideas and teamwork. The Importance of Hands-On Learning Hands-on learning is vital for children, especially in underserved communities. It allows them to engage with concepts in a tangible way. By using models and experiments, children can see the real-world applications of what they learn. This method fosters curiosity and encourages critical thinking. When children participate in activities like those offered by the Mobile Science Lab and Lab-on-a-Bike programs, they become active learners. They are not just passive recipients of information; they are explorers and innovators. This approach can ignite a passion for science and technology that lasts a lifetime. Building a Sustainable Future Sustainability is a crucial topic for today's youth. Programs like Urja Mela and the Acti-Learn Plastic Smart Workbook teach children about energy conservation and waste management. These lessons are essential for creating a more sustainable future. By instilling these values early on, we empower children to make informed decisions. They learn the importance of protecting the environment and can take action in their communities. This knowledge is vital for fostering a generation that prioritizes sustainability. The Role of Educators Teachers play a pivotal role in this journey. They guide children through the learning process, helping them connect theory with practice. Through innovative programs, educators can inspire their students to think critically and creatively. Training teachers to implement hands-on learning strategies is essential. When teachers are equipped with the right tools and knowledge, they can create engaging learning environments. This, in turn, benefits the children they teach. The Future of Education in India As we look to the future, the goal is clear. Agastya International Foundation aims to revolutionize education across India. The vision is to empower 100 million underserved children and 1 million teachers by 2032 through creativity and innovation. By focusing on STEAM learning, we can create a brighter future for all. This mission requires collaboration among various stakeholders, including government officials, corporate foundations, and CSR initiatives. Together, we can make a lasting impact on education in India. Conclusion In conclusion, the initiatives highlighted in this post demonstrate the power of hands-on learning. They show how engaging children in practical science can inspire curiosity and innovation. As we continue to support these programs, we move closer to a future where every child has access to quality education. If you wish to contribute to this cause, consider donating now . Your support can help us reach more children and transform lives through education.