Inspiration
Rahul Shandilya – Atal Tinkering Lab’s ‘Exemplary Teacher of Change’ 2020
“I’m like a friend in the ATL classroom.”
Rahul Shandilya was his school’s first choice to become an ATL in-charge because he’s armoured with an M.Tech degree in Electronics & Communication. It was in 2018 that Vidya Vihar Residential School, Purnea, Bihar, hired this young engineer who went on to become a changemaker at both regional and national level.
Rahul has also been awarded ‘Regional Teacher of Change’ award by NITI Ayog considering his consistent, quality performance over the semesters.
This educator strongly believes in letting the children be themselves. It’s his thumb rule to never tell them to not touch any equipment in the lab. “They’re equally new to the technology, letting them explore in their style is a good way to make progress together,” he tells ScooNews. In fact, he never even scolds his students if they perform a task wrong. “I’m their friend in the class who just happens to know a little more than them.”
It’s his friendly behaviour that makes the students trust in their calibre and take on the STEM subject with so much ease.
Talking about that one practice that makes him efficient, he says, “I’ve divided my students into groups of five so I can spot the ones who grab the lessons slowly.” Because Rahul is allotted the ATL classes six days a week, sometimes even on Sundays, he enjoys sitting with his students and discussing problems-solving. “It’s easy because the school is a residential one and my students are equally excited about the subjects as I am,” he says with a smile.
Rahul often helps the school management explain to children about ATL through presentations and personal dialogue. He’s currently teaching kids from grade 6 to 12, with whom he’s made some amazing science and engineering projects. Renewable Energy and Electric Power Generation, Wind Energy and many such designs for a smart city have been the most splendid ones in the competitions so far.
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) of NITI Aayog targets to create scientific temper and cultivates the spirit of curiosity and innovation among young minds. AIM proposes to support the establishment of a network of Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATL) in Indian schools.
Atal Tinkering Labs is the flagship initiative of Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. It aims at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among school students. To learn more, visit www.aim.gov.in.
Refer to https://aim.gov.in/pdf/ATL_Teacher_Book_high_res.pdf to read more about the ATL ‘Teachers of Change.’