Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, 26th October 2026: The Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi) along with Plaksha University and Igniting Dreams of Young Minds (IDYM) Foundation has initiated 'Science on Wheels' program in Himachal Pradesh, aimed at promoting practical education in science amongst school students especially those living in rural areas.

The programme’s Himachal Pradesh segment was launched on 17th October 2026 at IIT Mandi Campus School in the presence of Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The programme is backed by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, through NCSTC, with an objective of making students aware of the difference between theoretical studies and scientific experiments.

After having covered more than 7,500 students through 70 schools of Chhattisgarh and Punjab, the Science on Wheels initiative is now looking forward to covering 50 schools in Himachal Pradesh, including Mandi, Kullu, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Kangra.

After the inauguration of this initiative, the team began its efforts in Mandi district by covering Government Senior Secondary Schools in Badog, Baggi (K), Bari Gumanu, Batheri, and Deori.

The program caters to students in classes 6th to 12th, providing them about six hours of learning experiences at each school under four different themes, viz., Space Technology, Robotics, Sustainability, and Water Filtration.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi, remarked, “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 (self-reliant India). With the help of Science on Wheels, not only will we be able to instill interest in learning science within them, but these children could be the people who will come up with futuristic technology such as the fMRI machine and the Atomic Force Microscope in India, provided we do something more than just demonstrating science to them.”

In appreciation of the project, Deshraj Sharma, Principal, IIT Mandi Campus School stated, “You are educating children about science in areas where even the sight of such scientific equipment and using it is an unusual opportunity for them. Thus, by doing so you are widening their horizons of thoughts and giving new opportunities to them for the future. It is indeed a noble project.”

This ceremony was also graced by the presence of Prof. Surya Prakash Upadhyay, Chairperson, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, and President, IIT Mandi Campus School Society; Prof. Rahul Vaish, Dean Faculty, IIT Mandi, and Member, IIT Mandi Campus School Society; and Prof. Shaily Mahendra, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), USA, who is currently working as an International Environmental Expert at IIT Mandi. Prof. Mahendra felicitated the members of the Science on Wheels team. 

One of the main attractions of the event was a live hydro rocket launch that demonstrated various scientific aspects of force, pressure, and motion. The students were excited about the activity and found it very engaging as they were able to relate classroom lessons to practical application.

One of the students at IIT Mandi Campus School stated, “We have learned a lot about science, but Science on Wheels made us see it differently. It was amazing seeing the rocket launch live!”

The project is headed by Dr. Rucha Joshi, Principal Investigator, Plaksha University, with Dr. Harshad Kulkarni, IIT Mandi; Dr. Shashank Tamaskar, Plaksha University; Mr. Ratnesh Mishra, President, IDYM Foundation, and Dr. Srijita Chkraburty, Visiting Assistant Professor, Plaksha University, Mohali. The IDYM Foundation is an official Space Tutor of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

The program has begun with the visits to schools in Mandi district and would be extended to other districts of Himachal Pradesh in the coming weeks, fostering scientific inquisitiveness, rational thinking, creativity, and innovation in students, along with practical science education in distant areas.

SS/NK

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