IIT Kanpur’s Opportunity School gets new applied science lab, oragnises annual cultural fest

NEW DELHI: Opportunity School on Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur campus today inaugurated applied science laboratory ‘Vigyanalaya’. The lab will explore all aspects of science with an aim to ignite curiosity and creativity among students towards scientific exploration and innovation.

Department of science and technology (DST) secretary Abhay Karandikar launched the laboratory in the presence of IIT Kanpur director S Ganesh, school principal Pradnya Khandekar, Students and faculty members.

The Vigyanalaya inauguration was followed by the school’s annual cultural programme ‘Abhyudaya’. The event featured traditional rituals like lighting the lamps and ‘Saraswati vandana’, along with performances by students portraying famous Indian scientists and showcasing skits focused on environmental conservation and scientific concepts.

The cultural extravaganza included Rajasthani folk dances like ‘ghoomar’, colourful Holi folk dances and energetic Punjabi folk dances.

IIT Kanpur said, ‘Vigyanalaya’ has been envisioned by Padma Shri awardee Harish Chandra Verma and Sameer Khandekar, former faculty, mechanical engineering department, IIT Kanpur. During the inauguration, students showcased various innovative experiments and models like magnetic car races, bottle wave experiments, and crafts made from recycled papers. They impressively addressed guest inquiries, displaying their confidence and understanding.

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Vigyanalaya will also function as a scientific instrument’s repository, offering a wide array of tools across different scientific disciplines. From advanced measurement devices to lab equipment for chemistry, biology, and physics, including telescopes and microscopes, Vigyanalaya provides essential resources for scientific learning.

The school was established in 1967 to provide education for the children of economically weaker sections from in and around IIT Kanpur campus. Since February 2020, the school has been operating from the new building ‘Shri Harihar Prasad Singh building’ built with the contribution made by Chandralekha Singh.