Tinkering.…. a new buzzword in the Indian education system has caught a lot of attention in the recent years. Tinkering, like engineering, allows youth a chance to learn by pursuing design work of their choice in multi-disciplinary, STEM fields. India has some of the best brains in the world and our ability to think out of the box is second to none. And India’s ability to make technology affordable is one such contribution the world. All this innovation and creativity is a bi-product of thinking different or in simple words Tinkering.
What’s the difference between tinkering and engineering? The biggest difference between tinkering and engineering is who sets the parameters for success. In engineering, it’s often the teacher or end-user who specifies what a good product will look like . With tinkering, youth are in control. Youth are encouraged to design their own product and set their own specifications. This can be particularly effective in giving youth control of their learning. Tinkering also tends to emphasize art or aesthetic more often than engineering, but not always.
Sr. Vinayak Mhavalankar.