Technology

Narmada Valley Avishkar Labs

The Narmada Valley Labs (NVAL) program builds on the cultural skills of geometry and tool-making that are inherent in the children from tribal communities. The NVAL program develops skills in mechatronics (mechanics + electronics) for employment opportunities in the sunrise sector of the Indian economy. This program is conceptualized as a vocational training program for the children from Class 6th to Class 10th taking them through the concepts and applications in programming, engineering, prototyping, design thinking, and aeromodelling to develop a  robust base in robotics, artificial intelligence, product design, and science. The course has been designed in partnership with Government, academia, and leading Industry experts.

The NVAL program is taught across two phases:

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NVAL PROJECTS AND APPLICATIONS

In the initial phase, children are introduced to basic concepts of coding and engineering to develop critical innovative thinking and creativity. In an informal and collaborative environment, students adopt an inquiry-based approach to learn. 

In Phase- 2 children are encouraged to pick up specializations needed for their future employment. This phase is focused to align the learnings with advanced hands-on activities for a skill-based pathway for high school students

The Need

The remote tribal areas such as the Mahakaushal region (Mandla, Dindori, and Balaghat) have been deprived of opportunities in education over generations due to which livelihood and sustenance are emerging as a huge challenge for the region.  NVAL program can bridge the education and livelihood gap in the region and develop a vibrant ecosystem of entrepreneurship in line with the “Make in India” ethos.

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Program Outcome - Employment Pathways

NVAL imparts engineering and tech skills to children from middle and high school to enable them to gain entry into higher technical studies or find employment opportunities in the upcoming technology fields such as:

  • Programming
  • Agri-Tech Innovation
  • Robotics
  • Product Design
  • Application Development

Program Implementation (in COVID-19 times)

The pandemic has disrupted the in-person teachings in the classrooms for a year now. We are now delivering technology studies to children from villages in partnership with e-learning edtech companies.

  • Children enrolled in the program from Government and Riverside Natural School
  • Experts and Teachers identified to deliver on the course modules
  • Digital learning resources and Partners enabled for regular class sessions
  • Plans for program implementation over 2 years period
  • Preparing students to attend global hackathons and events
Achievements In 2019
  • Best Robot Design Award At IIT-Indore

Teams from Class 6 and 7 students competed in IIT-Indore’s Tech fest at Fluxus to win the Award amongst the students from 18 engineering colleges.

  • Among Top 8 Teams At IITDM-Jabalpur

The same team also emerged among the top 8 teams at the Abhikalpan Techfest, competing with students from 16 engineering colleges across the region.