Bengaluru: Minister for Science and Technology N S Boseraju said that the Department of Science and Technology would establish innovation labs in over 60 residential schools across the state.

Speaking at the National Science Day programme organised at the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in the city, he said, "We will establish Nehru Stream Labs and Innovation Labs across the state to foster scientific curiosity and promote experiential learning at the grassroots."

The department, in collaboration with the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB), is setting up Nehru stream labs in Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) across the Kalyana Karnataka region, he said.

The minister said that the department aims to promote science education and curiosity at the school level. "Science must become an integral part of improving everyday life. Driven by our vision of 'Science for All' and 'Easy Science,'
we are promoting science education at the school level," he said.

"To move beyond rote textbook learning and encourage activity-based education, we are building Nehru stream labs in the Kalyana Karnataka region and innovation labs in backward class residential schools. This will significantly help in sparking an interest in innovation and future technologies among our rural students," Boseraju added.

School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa urged the students to develop an interest in science early in life.

Higher Education Minister Dr M C Sudhakar advised the students to minimise mobile phone use and instead focus on reading and sports.