A government school in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh is drawing attention for a new teaching method. A teacher at the school is using scrap materials to teach students how to build simple robots and drones. The initiative gained attention after videos of the activity were shared on social media.
At the Upper Primary School in Bhilawali village under Akrabad block, teacher Ashish Kumar has started a small robotics workshop for students. Using discarded items such as old motors, broken toy cars, wires and plastic containers, children are learning how to assemble simple robotic models and small drones.
The initiative began as an attempt to move beyond textbook learning. Kumar said he wanted students to see how science works in practice. Instead of relying on expensive equipment, he asked children to bring waste materials from their homes and nearby shops. These items are then used to build working models during classroom sessions.
Students are guided through the process of connecting small motors, arranging wires and creating structures that allow the models to move or fly. Along the way, they are introduced to basic ideas from science and mathematics.
“The aim is to show students that science is not limited to books,” Kumar said while explaining the activity. “When children build something with their own hands and see it move, they begin to understand the concept better.”
The initiative has received attention beyond the school campus. Videos showing students working on small robotic devices have been widely shared online. Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh also posted the video on his social media account.
Officials and educators say such efforts can help bring practical learning into government schools where resources are often limited.
Sanjeev Sharma said the experiment shows that rural students can learn advanced concepts if they receive the right guidance. “Children in villages have talent. What they often lack is exposure and opportunity. Activities like these help build confidence,” he said.
The project has also been presented outside the school. Kumar showcased the initiative during the Aligarh Festival, where visitors saw the models prepared by students.
Teachers and parents in the area have welcomed the effort. They say the activity has increased students’ interest in science classes and encouraged them to explore new ideas.
For many of the students, the experience of building a working model from scrap materials has opened a new way of looking at everyday objects. What once appeared to be waste now becomes a tool for learning.
