In the heart of Sonbhadra, something truly special is taking shape. As rising temperatures and heatwave conditions make daytime activities difficult, Tinker on Wheels (ToW) took a thoughtful step by shifting its hands-on STEM sessions and workshops to the cool evening hours after sunset. What began as a solution to beat the heat has blossomed into an inspiring story of unity, dedication, and collective village planning.
In the Gram Panchayat (Arjhat), one-day workshops on strategic village planning were held in the evening. There is an inspiring story of how a student team that participated in Tinkerfest Sonbhadra last year brought the experience back to their own village- Arjhat. After attending the Rover Challenge at Tinkerfest Sonbhadra 2025, Team AstraX — comprising school students Ankit, Shubham, Akhilesh, and Nitesh — was deeply inspired by the hands-on learning and problem-solving approach of the program. Motivated by their experience, the students promoted the initiative in their village, invited local families and children to attend the workshop, and requested Tinker on Wheels (ToW) to organize a session there.
Ankit, the student team leader, shared, “I really enjoyed the program and the problem-solving pedagogy. I wanted students in my village to experience the same workshop. Mentors Sankalp Ji and Updesh Ji were very supportive and immediately responded when we approached them with the idea of bringing ToW to our village. What we received from ToW, we wanted everyone in our village to experience and solve problems of our village. The four of us gained the confidence that we can do anything. Thank you, ToW.”
The students played a key role in arranging people, supporting the mentors, managing children and villagers, and bringing more participants to make the workshops successful.
What happens in a evening workshop?
As the sun went down and the air became cooler, people from all age groups -children, high school students, young adults, and elders – gathered together. The whole village showed strong interest in what’s inside the box. Villagers came forward to support Tinker on Wheels with full energy and commitment and unlock the “Out of the box thinking” box.
It was a powerful scene. People from different generations sat together and discussed plans for their village – better roads, local opportunities, and solutions to daily problems. High school students talked about how technology can be used to solve problems using robotics, electronics, 3D Printing and new ideas, while elders shared their practical knowledge and experience. Everyone took part openly and with interest. This joint effort helped the village plan its own future with a sense of ownership.
The evening timing has worked well. The cooler weather has increased attendance, reduced heat stress, and created a relaxed and happy environment for learning and discussion. Families are now spending time together and working as a team.
The strong support from the villagers and the active help from the Rover AstrX team members is very encouraging. It shows the true impact of Tinker on Wheels – its own students (aka ambassdors) are now coming back to strengthen the program and reach more people.
This effort goes beyond STEM education and workshops. It is a clear example of how local education programs can deal with climate challenges through simple changes and community spirit. The Sonbhadra evening sessions are now motivating other villages to try similar approaches.
In these evening hours under the open sky, the village is coming together to learn, plan, and build a better future.
Tinker on Wheels (ToW2483A) Sonbhadra, organized in partnership with Young Tinker Foundation, Mission Samriddhi, Banwasi Sewa Ashram, and Ullas Trust, became much more than just a workshop – it became a community-led movement of learning and innovation.
Three remarkable things emerged from this program.
First, the student participants themselves became ambassadors of the initiative. Inspired by their earlier experience at Tinkerfest Sonbhadra, Team AstraX — Ankit, Shubham, Akhilesh, and Nitesh — mobilized their entire village, invited community members, and helped organize the complete program in their own locality. Their leadership demonstrated how students can become changemakers within their communities.
Second, the team identified and solved a practical challenge. Due to the extreme daytime heat in Sonbhadra, the students and organizers decided to conduct the sessions during evening hours instead of the morning or afternoon. This simple yet thoughtful shift made the program more comfortable and accessible for everyone, showing the importance of local problem-solving and community-driven planning.
Third, the workshop broke age and social barriers. The sessions saw enthusiastic participation not only from students, but also from men and women across different age groups. The excitement around hands-on learning, robotics, and innovation created a truly inclusive environment where curiosity and creativity mattered more than age or background.
ToW2483A Sonbhadra showcased how rural innovation programs can become community-owned initiatives when students are empowered to lead and local communities come together to learn.