IIT Mandi launches Science on Wheels for rural students in Himachal Pradesh

IIT Mandi launched Science on Wheels in Himachal Pradesh. The initiative expands hands-on science access for rural school students.Mandi,Oct 26, 2026 21:17 ISTThe Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, in partnership with Plaksha University and the Igniting Dreams of Young Minds Foundation, has launched the Science on Wheels programme in Himachal Pradesh to promote practical science education among school students, news agency Press Trust of India reported.Supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, the programme aims to help students, particularly those in rural areas, understand the difference between classroom learning and scientific experiments.The Himachal Pradesh leg of the programme was launched on October 17 at IIT Mandi Campus School in the presence of the institute's director, Professor Laxmidhar Behera, officials told PTI.After reaching more than 7,500 students across 70 schools in Chhattisgarh and Punjab, the initiative plans to cover 50 schools in Himachal Pradesh. These include schools in Mandi, Kullu, Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Kangra. Following the launch, the team began its work in Mandi district by visiting government senior secondary schools in Badog, Baggi (K), Bari Gumanu, Batheri and Deori.The programme is for students from Classes VI to XII. It offers about six hours of learning activities at each school under four themes: space technology, robotics, sustainability and water filtration. "Science on Wheels is a great initiative. We need to develop an interest in science amongst our children as they are the future of an Atmanirbhar Bharat," Behera said, according to PTI.He said the programme would encourage students to learn science and added that they could develop futuristic technology in India.Science on Wheels will seek to take practical science education to 50 schools across five districts of Himachal Pradesh after reaching more than 7,500 students in Chhattisgarh and Punjab.- Ends