Mandi; 15th July, 2025: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi concluded the third edition of its flagship outreach initiative, PRAYAS 3.0, with a formal valedictory ceremony held on campus. The program, aimed at fostering curiosity and scientific temperament among school students across the nation, provided an immersive a month long exposure to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The event brought together students from diverse schools across the region, offering them a unique opportunity to reside and learn at one of India’s premier technical institutes. Throughout the program, participants engaged in a dynamic mix of workshops, lectures, lab visits, and team projects all meticulously designed to make STEM education engaging and accessible.
Among the highlights of the program were the introductory computer programming classes, hands-on circuit design, mechanical prototyping activities, and problem-solving exercises. One of the highlights was the Robo Soccer competition, where students developed, programmed and controlled robotic systems to play a friendly soccer match among them. This was the first hands-on experience with robotics for most of the participants, and it created a deep sense of excitement and fulfillment.
Reflecting on the success of the program, a student mentor remarked, “The excitement on their faces as they controlled their robots on the soccer field was priceless, most students had never done anything even remotely close to this before.”
In his address, Dr Tushar Jain, Head CCE, IIT Mandi, emphasized the importance of early STEM exposure and applauded the students for their enthusiasm and adaptability. “PRAYAS is about planting seeds of curiosity, we hope this experience stays with these young minds for a lifetime and shapes the way they think about learning and the world. Through our interactive workshops, hands-on robotics, coding, and engineering design classes and exposure to cutting-edge research facilities at IIT Mandi, we aim to demystify science and technology for school students. We hope the learning and confidence they have gained here will leave an indelible mark, motivating them to become scientists, engineers, and innovators.”
The valedictory session concluded with certificate distribution.
