Chaukori is the kind of place that makes you pause and look beyond the obvious. Perched in the Kumaon Himalayas and surrounded by forests and snow-capped peaks, it feels far removed from the bustle of India’s cities. Opportunities here often arrive later, resources are harder to access, and students rarely get exposure to the kind of STEM experiences that many urban children take for granted. But if there is one thing Chaukori is not short of, it is curiosity. At KMSB Himalaya Inter College (HIC), that curiosity has found a home in Young Tinker Space (YTS) 2980A when more than 1000 students, teachers, parents and community members became a part of the event. More than a laboratory, the space represents an opportunity for students to explore, experiment, build, and discover their potential through hands-on learning.
When the Young Tinker Space was established at Himalayan Inter College by Young Tinker Foundation, with the support of Himalayan Educational Foundation (HEF) and India Development Service (IDS), it was driven by a simple yet powerful dream—that children in the Himalayan region of Chaukori would one day solve real challenges faced by their communities through hands-on STEM education.
The creation of the TinkerSpace was more than the setup of a learning facility; it was the creation of possibilities. It opened the door for a student from a remote Himalayan village to design a prototype, build a robot, develop a startup idea, or create solutions for the unique challenges of mountain life. It nurtured the belief that innovation could become a part of everyday learning and that young minds, regardless of geography, could become creators and problem-solvers. That possibility came alive at TinkerFest 2026.
8th June 2026, For one extraordinary day, the school campus transformed into a vibrant celebration of curiosity, creativity, and courage. Hosted at Young Tinker Space 2980A and graced by Mr. Anil Pradhan, Founder and CEO of Young Tinker Foundation, TinkerFest 2026 brought together students, educators, innovators, and community leaders to celebrate the spirit of learning by doing.
Students from across the Chaukori region arrived with excitement and anticipation for this special day. At the entrance, student volunteers welcomed participants, verified registrations, and handed out personalized name tags—every detail managed by the students themselves. From registration and coordination to announcements and event management, the festival reflected the spirit of student leadership.
At the heart of the festival were a series of immersive, student-led challenges designed to encourage innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving. The Rover Challenge put students’ engineering and design skills to the test as teams built and navigated rovers through demanding tasks. The Hydro Rocket Challenge brought science alive as students designed and launched water-powered rockets, applying principles of physics in an exciting and hands-on way. Meanwhile, the Tinker Haat served as a platform for students to showcase projects, prototypes, science models, and technology-driven solutions that reflected both creativity and practical thinking.
The Rover Challenge
The first event of TinkerFest Himalaya 2026 was the Rover Challenge, where students transformed into young engineers and designers. Working in teams, they began by studying the simulated terrain and designing rovers capable of navigating it. Using acrylic sheets, nuts and bolts, motors, batteries, and remote-control systems, students built their rovers from scratch, applying both creativity and engineering principles throughout the process.
The atmosphere on the day of the challenge was nothing short of electric. Students who had spent weeks designing and building their rovers eagerly prepared for the competition, while hundreds of other students gathered to witness the action. The excitement spread far beyond the participating teams. Many spectators expressed a desire to join future challenges after experiencing the energy, creativity, and innovation on display.
Adding to the excitement, student commentators provided live announcements and play-by-play coverage of the event, creating the feel of a professional competition. Cheers echoed across the venue as classmates rallied behind their favorite teams, celebrating every successful maneuver and creative design solution.
What made the Rover Challenge truly special was the diversity of ideas. Each team approached the problem differently, resulting in a wide range of rover designs and engineering innovations. More than a competition, the challenge became a showcase of problem-solving, teamwork, and the confidence that comes from building something with your own hands.
Rocket Challenge
One of the most exciting activities in the program was the Rocket Challenge, where students designed and launched rockets made from recycled PET plastic bottles. The challenge was not simply about launching a rocket as high as possible; instead, students were given a specific problem statement—to launch their rocket to a predetermined height or distance. This encouraged them to think critically, experiment, and apply scientific concepts to achieve a target outcome. Using air pressure to propel their rockets, students explored fundamental principles of physics, including pressure, force, motion, trajectory, and projectile dynamics. Through repeated testing and modifications, they learned how factors such as the amount of pressure, angle of launch, and rocket design influence performance. The challenge generated immense excitement among students. Beyond the science, it became an exercise in creativity, teamwork, and leadership. Teams enthusiastically branded their rockets, decorated them with colors, designed unique logos, and even gave them names. Each team member took on a specific responsibility—some filled the rockets with water, others managed the launch mechanism, while others recorded observations and analyzed results.
TinkerHaat- Business by School students
One of the most meaningful moments of the event was the presentation of the Soul of Soil Award to Mrs. Devbala Bisht, Principal of KMSB Himalaya Inter College. The award recognized her unwavering commitment to education and her efforts in nurturing a culture where students are encouraged to explore, create, and lead.
The event was attended by the school’s leadership team, including Founder Mr. Chandra Singh Karki, Mrs. Parwati Karki, Manager Mr. Prakash Karki, Principal Mrs. Devbala Bisht, and Vice Principal Mr. Bhupendra Papola. Their collective vision and support have played a significant role in fostering innovation-driven education in the region and creating opportunities for students to learn beyond the classroom.
Celebrating Young Innovators
The students’ enthusiasm and dedication were reflected in the results of the competitions.
In the Rover Challenge, Team Intersteller (Mayank Khanka, Daksh Mehra, Naman Jakhnyal, Piyush Dobal, and Kuldeep Pant) secured first place. Nexus Creators (Manish Harariya, Anshu Dhami, Chandesh Koranga, Chandan Koranga, and Prince Shah) earned second place, while Team AND (Abhinav Karki, Sneha Pathak, Aditya Adhikari, Chiranjeev Takuli, and Karan Rathour) secured third place.
In the Hydro Rocket Challenge, Team Black Falcon (Namini Rathour, Jyoti Koranga, Rituraj, Saurav Joshi, and Palak Shah) emerged as champions. Creators (Shruti Karki, Sarika Bhauriyal, Kavindra Singh, Rachit Chandra, and Kanchan) secured second place, while Hydro Rocket (Vidhya Koranga, Sarita Rawat, Naitik Pant, Kartik Karki, and Komal Karki) finished third.
Yet, what made TinkerFest truly special was not the trophies, the awards, or even the technology on display. It was the students.
Young minds who looked at challenges and saw opportunities. Students who confidently explained their ideas, answered questions, collaborated with peers, and proudly presented their creations. Many of them come from regions where access to advanced STEM opportunities is limited. Yet, when given the right environment, mentorship, and freedom to explore, they demonstrated the same creativity, ingenuity, and determination that can be found anywhere in the world.
This belief lies at the heart of Young Tinker Foundation. We do not see students as future innovators. We see them as innovators today. We believe learning should not begin with answers. It should begin with questions. Why does this problem exist? How can we improve it? What can we build? How can we help our community? These questions form the foundation of every Young Tinker Space. They encourage students to think independently, experiment fearlessly, learn from failure, and take ownership of their ideas.
At TinkerFest 2026 – Himalayas, the locally developed initiative Himayaan Naari showcased beautiful handcrafted products created by women artisans from the Himalayan region. Founded by Dr. Kathleen (Kathy) Bollerud and Manvee Vaid, the social enterprise empowers women through sustainable livelihoods while preserving the region’s rich textile traditions. Their inspiring journey demonstrated to students that entrepreneurship is not just about building businesses- it is about creating solutions that improve lives, strengthen communities, and generate lasting social impact.
The impact of a Young Tinker Space extends far beyond a single event. It creates a culture where curiosity is celebrated, creativity is encouraged, and students gain the confidence to transform ideas into action. In places like Chaukori, that impact becomes even more meaningful. Because every young innovator who emerges from these mountains becomes proof that geography does not define potential. Every project built by a student challenges the belief that world-class innovation can only happen in metropolitan cities. Every idea presented at TinkerFest sends a powerful message: talent exists everywhere.
As we packed up after TinkerFest, the projects were still on display, the conversations were still continuing, and groups of students were still gathered around ideas they wanted to improve. That is the moment we carried back with us. Not the exhibitions. Not the medals. Not even the event itself. What stayed with us were the students—the confidence with which they explained their ideas, the curiosity behind every question, and the spark in their eyes when they realised that they could build something of their own.
For many people, Chaukori is known for its breathtaking views of the Himalayas. For us, it will always be remembered for something else. It is the place where we witnessed young minds refuse to be limited by geography. Where students chose to experiment instead of hesitate, build instead of simply observe, and dream beyond what was immediately visible around them. TinkerFest 2026 lasted only a day. The ideas born there will stay much longer. And somewhere in those mountains, a future engineer, scientist, entrepreneur, teacher, or changemaker may have taken their very first step. That possibility is what makes every Young Tinker Space worth building.
Such an amazing celebration! We are so happy to see HIC and the Tinkers thriving!