ICMR-NIN opens its labs to 800 students for SHINE 2026 science fest
Hyderabad, Feb 25: Over 800 students from nine schools, including government institutions, converged at the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) in Tarnaka on Tuesday for the first day of the two-day Science & Health Innovation for Nextgen Explorers (SHINE) Programme 2026. The initiative is designed to give schoolchildren a direct window into scientific research, nutrition, and public health through interactive and hands-on learning.
The programme was inaugurated by ICMR-NIN director Bharati Kulkarni in the presence of scientists, technical staff, and teachers. In her address, Dr. Kulkarni underscored the importance of exposing children to science at an early age. She noted that programmes like SHINE help nurture curiosity, inculcate a scientific temper, and develop an appreciation for evidence-based approaches to health and nutrition. She also urged students to ask questions and observe how scientific methods are applied in real-world settings.
The exhibition features a wide array of activities tailored to make science engaging and accessible for young learners. Key attractions include nutrition-based games, diet surveys, and practical demonstrations on detecting food adulteration using simple home-based techniques. Students also got the opportunity to observe work physiology demonstrations, participate in period awareness sessions, and learn about anaemia testing. A mobile laboratory and food chemistry analyses were among the other highlights, offering students a rare glimpse into the tools and procedures used by nutrition scientists.
The SHINE programme is not confined to the main campus in Tarnaka. According to a press release from ICMR-NIN, similar activities were conducted at the Model Rural Health Research Units affiliated with the institute in Janampet in Mahbubnagar district of Telangana and Chandragiri in Andhra Pradesh. This outreach ensures that students in rural and semi-urban areas also benefit from exposure to scientific inquiry and health awareness.
The two-day event is part of a broader effort by ICMR-NIN to bridge the gap between school curricula and frontier research. By bringing children into active research environments, the institute hopes to inspire the next generation of scientists, public health professionals, and informed citizens. Teachers accompanying the students expressed appreciation for the opportunity, noting that such experiences often leave a lasting impression and encourage students to pursue careers in science.
Day two of SHINE 2026 is expected to draw another batch of students, continuing the institute's commitment to science education and community engagement.
