IIT Madras takes Scientific Concepts & 3D-Printing to TN Rural Schools

Through IIT Madras initiative ‘Device Engineering Labs’, school students will learn how everyday devices ranging from Cycle Bell & Electric Iron to Geyser work and also how to make objects applying 3D-Printing technology. Currently, DEL labs are in 13 schools in Chengalpet, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram & Krishnagiri, districts of Tamil Nadu, directly benefitting about 1,000 students & indirectly, more than 2,500 students.

‘Device Engineering Lab’, initiated by ‘Teach to Learn’ (www.teachtolearn.co.in) of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is taking basic and advanced scientific and engineering concepts to rural schools of Tamil Nadu. It involves teaching school students the scientific concepts behind everyday devices and also applying 3D printing to make or fabricate toys and other household objects.

Designed as a platform for Capacity Building, the DEL initiative has a three-year curriculum that targets students of VIII, IX and X or XI. A Lab hosts different inexpensive devices that are seen/used in their everyday life and most importantly, are based on principles involved in the School Syllabus. (Ex: Simple devices like Cycle Bells, Calling Bells, Electric Irons, Motors to complex devices like Geysers, Microwave Ovens, 3D Printer etc.)

By connecting IIT Madras students with students of rural schools, the objective is to imbibe a ‘Culture of Making’ at the school level and thus enhance design and fabrication skills. Another objective is to develop an entrepreneurial mindset as these classes could even provide possible livelihood options in future.

Course Components

The two major training components of the Device Engineering Labs, which run parallel are the Device Engineering Concept (Dismantle & Assembly, Working Principle, Science behind the device, ‘What if’, Extended Applications etc) and 3D Printing (Designing (CAD), Basic Programming, Printing, etc).

The training and the teaching provided to the students are completely experimental and hands-on in nature. Students will learn to print, applying primarily the FDM technique of 3D printing. They will print different device components, gears, wheels, and toys, among others. 

The complexity or the difficulty level of devices and printed objects increases as one goes from first to second and then to third year. Students of class XI will also learn to build a 3D printer from scratch; this can create a livelihood option for them in future, according to IIT Madras.

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