IIT Kanpur, NimbleQ set to nurture kids as entrepreneurs
To leave a mark on the young minds, bringing real-world exposure such that they make informed career decisions and truly pursue their passion
Mumbai: In a first-of-its-kind endeavour, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur partners with NimbleQEduventure Pvt to nurture children as young as ten by giving them an opportunity to experience and work in the IIT Kanpur labs. Over 20 NimbleQers from grades 5 to 10 visited labs at IIT Kanpur on October 3-4. These children are part of a technology and entrepreneurship programme facilitated by NimbleQ across India, USA, and UAE.
The programme kicked off with a visit to the National Centre of FlexibleElectronics on the first day. The young learners got an opportunity totour the clean-room and the systems lab, besides viewing some other associated labs. They were also exposed to one of the latestinnovations from the Centre, The Haptic Watch, released in May '22. Itis a touch-sensitive smartwatch designed for visually impaired people.
Furthermore, NimbleQers also got a chance to participate in a hands-onsession where they built basic electrical circuits on flexible papersubstrates using conductive and resistive inks. In the process, theylearnt some basic electrical concepts, including completing a circuitproperly to make an LED glow, staircase switch and charging acapacitor.
Talking to Bizz Buzz, Dr Madhukar Varshney, Founder NimbleQ, says, "The NimbleQ Experience focuses on Real-World Connections. This technology partnership with IIT Kanpur will bring to life technology that the children have only read about."
Experiencing the innovation-led environment of premier institutes suchas IIT Kanpur will leave a mark on these young minds—such that theymake informed career decisions and truly pursue their passion, headded.
On Day 2, NimbleQers visited the Imagineering lab led by Dr JRamkumar, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering. This lab isa central facility for concept design and product realization. HereNimbleQers visited the central workshop, tinkering lab, and MedTechfacility. The children gained hands-on experience by manipulatingdifferent materials to model and shape different products. They alsoprototyped a bio-degradable water bottle and presented a Business Planto launch it.
Dr S Sundar Kumar Iyer, Professor, Department of ElectricalEngineering and current coordinator of the National Centre forFlexible Electronics, IIT Kanpur said, "It is fascinating to see howNimbleQ is encouraging children and exposing them to state of the artin technology and innovations. Such exposure at their young age shouldhelp the children evolve into innovators in the future. The childrenwho visited us impressed us by their general awareness, their keennessto learn and their approach to the new ideas to which they wereexposed. The effort of NimbleQ in igniting young and curious minds isindeed commendable." Dr J Ramkumar, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IITKanpur said, "I am really impressed with how NimbleQers came up withthis initiative. This partnership will lead to the greater vision ofcreating a better future for these kids. These future leaders will goon to build the next Fortune 500 companies out of India.
NimbleQ enables children at a young age (K to 10) to develop aproblem-solving mindset. NimbleQers work at the intersection oftechnology and entrepreneurship to build 21st-century skills. Thistechnology partnership with IIT Kanpur is the next step in bringingreal-world exposure to children so that their young minds are aware ofthe choices. Through the NimbleQ program, these children havedeveloped Business Ideas and this visit helped them get a betterappreciation of product development, innovation, and research.
