Young Tinker Space
Hands-on STEM skills & lab access
Year-long STEM innovation lab programme in schools covering robotics, AI, 3D printing, IoT, and entrepreneurship through hands-on project-based learning.
Mode
In-Person
Participation format
Individual
Duration
One academic year
Eligibility
Open to school and college students enrolled at institutions that host a Young Tinker Space. The programme primarily serves high school students in government and low-fee schools across India.
- Age range
- 12 years and above
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Recognition
NASA Rover Challenge World Rank 3
Skills your child builds
How to apply
- 1Students enrol through their school or college that hosts a Young Tinker Space
- 2For independent spaces, students register directly at the tinkerspace location
- 3Institutions wishing to start a YTS email hq@youngtinker.org with school details, available space, and budget information
- 4Foundation reviews the application and sends a Request Form for completion
- 5Upon confirmation, the foundation initiates the setup and accreditation process
About this opportunity
Young Tinker Space (YTS) is a year-long, curriculum-based hands-on STEM programme that installs dedicated innovation labs in schools and colleges across India. Each YTS is a physical creative workspace where students use professional tools and technologies to explore ideas, build prototypes, and solve real-world problems. The programme is run by the Young Tinker Foundation, an educational non-profit that has impacted over 270,000 students and received World Rank 3 at the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge.
Students engage with five core technology domains: Robotics (designing and building automated systems), Artificial Intelligence (machine learning and AI application basics), 3D Printing (hands-on additive manufacturing and prototyping), Internet of Things (device and sensor integration for smart systems), and Entrepreneurship (transforming ideas into viable solutions). Students document their learning through a year-long Tinker Book workbook and culminate the programme with pitching their projects to stakeholders.
Each Young Tinker Space is equipped with hand tools, carpentry and electronics fabrication stations, 3D printers, computer resource centres, and rapid prototyping equipment in a minimum 500 sq ft collaborative workspace. The programme operates in two models: independent after-school spaces where students enrol individually, and school-integrated spaces embedded into the campus schedule with costs covered by the institution.
Young Tinker Foundation provides training for institutional instructors through its Teachers of Practice (TOP) initiative and supports setup and accreditation at no cost to partner schools. Spaces are established across Odisha, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, with the foundation expanding to new regions annually.
What your child will do
- Robotics design and build sessions
- AI and machine learning experiments
- 3D printing and prototyping projects
- IoT sensor and device integration
- Entrepreneurship workshops and project pitching
- Electronics fabrication exercises
- Annual student pitch showcase
Mentors and faculty
Trained institutional instructors supported by Young Tinker Foundation's Teachers of Practice (TOP) programme
Languages
Academic details
Difficulty: Beginner
Frequently asked questions
Who can participate in the Young Tinker Space programme?
The programme is open to school and college students enrolled at institutions that host a Young Tinker Space. It primarily serves high school students in government and low-fee schools across India.
What technologies and activities does the programme cover?
Participants engage with five core domains: Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, 3D Printing, Internet of Things, and Entrepreneurship through hands-on project-based learning and a year-long Tinker Book curriculum.
Is there a fee to participate in the Young Tinker Space programme?
Accreditation for institutions is free. Many school-based spaces are funded through corporate CSR partnerships, making participation free for students. Independent after-school spaces may charge an enrollment fee depending on the hosting institution.
How long does the programme run?
The programme runs for one full academic year. Students follow a structured curriculum, document their learning in a Tinker Book, and culminate the year with a project pitch showcase.
How can a school set up a Young Tinker Space?
Institutions should email hq@youngtinker.org with subject line 'Request to Start a Young Tinkerspace', including school details, available space (minimum 500 sq ft), and budget information. The foundation then provides accreditation support and setup guidance.
In which states is the programme currently available?
Young Tinker Spaces are operational across Odisha, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, with ongoing expansion to other states. Interested institutions in other regions are encouraged to contact the foundation directly.
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