Every summer, something remarkable unfolds in Wardha.
At Nalanda Abhiyan Labs, classrooms transform into vibrant spaces of curiosity, creativity, and innovation.
What began in 2017 as a vision by the late Prof. Abhiyan Humane at Samyak Buddha Vihar has today grown into a thriving initiative that touches the lives of hundreds of students every year.
These summer workshops, typically ranging from 15 days to a month, are thoughtfully designed for school-going children from Wardha city as well as nearby rural areas.
Over time, the initiative has expanded significantly—now reaching over 500 students annually and collaborating with more than 15 rural schools.
A Summer of Exploration and Innovation
The 2024 Summer Science Workshops, held from 1st to 14th May, brought together more than 100 enthusiastic students.
The workshops were designed as immersive, hands-on experiences where students could actively engage with ideas and technologies—exploring illustration, photography, prototyping, design thinking, digital fabrication, extended reality (XR), electronics, and robotics.
Mentors
The workshops were led by a diverse group of practitioners and educators, each bringing their own expertise and experience:
Vaibhav Zunjurkar – Freelance artist and final-year BFA student at the Government College of Arts & Design, Aurangabad.
Vinod K. A. – Design educator and photography expert, visiting faculty at NID Assam and NIFT Jodhpur.
Anoop Saxena – Faculty at the National Institute of Design (NID), Jorhat, leading Extended Reality (XR) initiatives as Head of XR.
Ashish Shende – Coordinator, Nalanda Abhiyan Labs, Wardha, actively involved in designing and facilitating hands-on learning experiences.
Sai – Experienced designer, artist, and educator; Associate Senior Faculty at Srishti Manipal Institute, Bengaluru.
Learning by Doing: A Day-by-Day Journey
The workshop unfolded as a carefully structured journey, with each day introducing students to a new domain of creativity or technology.
Day 1: Illustration with Vaibhav Zunjunkar
The program began with a session on digital illustration. Students learned the basics of drawing and painting using digital tools. What started as simple sketches soon evolved into colourful digital artwork, opening up a new medium for creative expression.
Day 2: Photography with Vinod K.A.
This session introduced students to the art of visual storytelling. They learned about framing, composition, and colour grading, along with practical techniques for capturing compelling photographs and enhancing them through editing.
Day 3: Paper Prototyping with Ashish Shende
In this highly interactive workshop, students worked with cardboard to build functional models using techniques such as interlocking, slots, and pivots. They created objects like cameras, rockets, pistons, and microscopes—making abstract concepts tangible and fun.
Day 4: Design Thinking with Anoop Saxena
Students were introduced to design thinking—a structured yet creative approach to solving real-world problems. The session encouraged observation, empathy, and critical thinking, helping students see everyday challenges from new perspectives.
Days 5 & 6: Digital Fabrication (SLS) with Ashish Shende
These sessions offered a glimpse into modern manufacturing processes. Students learned about Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), where lasers are used to fuse powdered materials into solid objects. This exposure helped them understand how advanced technologies shape the world around us.
Days 7 & 8: Extended Reality (XR) with Sai
One of the most engaging segments of the workshop, this session introduced students to Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). Participants assembled Google Cardboard headsets and experienced immersive environments, gaining insight into how XR is used in fields ranging from education to entertainment.
Days 9 & 10: Electronics, Sensors, and Coding with Sai and Ashish Shende
Students were introduced to the basics of electronics and programming. Through hands-on activities, they built a motion detector using an ultrasonic sensor—an experience that combined logic, creativity, and practical problem-solving.
Days 11–14: Robotics with Ashish Shende
The workshop concluded with an exciting robotics module. Students learned how motors, wheels, and controllers work together, and applied their knowledge by building a four-wheeled robot. This final project brought together many of the skills they had developed over the previous days.
Beyond Workshops: Building Futures
For many students, especially those from rural and semi-urban backgrounds, this is their first exposure to technologies such as virtual reality, robotics, and digital fabrication.
These experiences expand their imagination and help them see possibilities beyond their immediate surroundings.
In regions where access to such opportunities is often limited, Nalanda Abhiyan Labs plays a crucial role in bridging the gap—bringing meaningful, high-quality, hands-on learning to those who need it the most.
Carrying Forward a Vision
The legacy of Prof. Abhiyan Humane continues to guide and inspire this initiative. His vision of creating a space where young minds could explore, question, and create is reflected in every workshop and every student who participates.
Today, Nalanda Abhiyan Labs stands not just as a place of learning, but as a movement—one that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and confidence among young learners.
And every summer, that movement grows stronger.
