28/04/2022
Prachi Deshmukh envisioned children using science as everyday natural phenomenon without appendage of mystery that is attached to science; and using those concepts to make things of use and pleasure. Her first experimental subject was Vedashree, her daughter, who like all children had so many questions and so much curiosity about everything around her, for that is what children are like.
Our minds are equipped for experimental study. That is where children's curiosity pops out as to how light comes on, how can a tap on a switch in the wall light up a bulb on the ceiling, how sounds get played, what makes the toy move. Children are scientists packed into small bodies with exploratory minds
And Prachi Deshmukh felt that she could help bright minds glow brighter by giving them do-it-yourself circuits in their hands.
Miracles of science had always fascinated her. Circuitry seemed to beep and illuminate inside her head. As homemaker with one precious baby, she had time and motivation to put science concepts on to paper; literally on to paper; where copper wires and conductor paint could breathe freely through all the twists and turns of a pre designed and ready drawn-out circuit pattern.
She decided to promote her circuits as hobby and craft, knowing well that these were not just art & craft but an educative and a fun way of learning science as an everyday act. Through her lit up cards and pop out book projects she hopes every child will be able to experience that special EUREKA moment when science comes alive as an unforgettable experience and circuits gets completed by following the kit’s clear and well fledged out instructions.
Is it enough that science be just a school subject? A subject for exams is carried like a burden, a tedious learning. Science should be a living breathing experience.
Instead of having to read, learn, remember, and recall; Prachi wanted to simplify the process of learning concepts. Her DIY circuits lifted science from books into everyday realities of living concepts. Children’s first school is family, and first friends are toys they play with and learn from. Toys are our first friendly teachers. These paper circuits teach science through crafting and art work.
Concepts Lab opened up an exciting world of circuits inviting you to colour, connect and light up electronically backed projects directly on to paper using simple components. Her kits are far from boring as they show you circuit building through use of art and craft. You can bring your paper craft to light using these engaging STEAM kits. The kit includes a printed manual and links to online tutorials. These kits come with resistors and switch circuits and many pre made templates that engage educators, artists, crafters alike and also help you to design your own specific electronics. For more information visit https://conceptslab.in/
The future necessitates strong foundation in STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) Next Generation Science Standards are geared towards methods that aid students to easily comprehend application of science by focusing on project-based learning and activities that incorporate technology and art as a science. STEAM is what drives even students with ADHD and other similar issues towards hands-on activities requiring creative thinking, an environment which is well-suited for students with ADHD. And her kits enable that environment.
She also wanted the parents, in other words, whether young minds or old, she wants people to feel empowered with the know-how of the application of technology in their everyday, and knowing how their homes and the things they use are wired . Her circuit kits are wired to allow students to use their creativity and develop critical thinking skills.
And that’s the vision with which she founded conceptslab a toyconomy with the objective to make it fun, easy, and delightful for kids to spend time building, exploring, learning ideas with joy. With a deep interest in children’s education and technology, Prachi saw the potential of DIY paper circuits
With the help of her husband, she set up Concepts lab where Art meets Science and Tech. Her start-up welcomes you to the world of paper circuits for creating electronic projects directly on paper using simple components! Concepts Lab does research in Educational Toys with Do-It-Yourself methodology.
But from housewife to entrepreneur was no cakewalk. There were hurdles she had to face to be able to finally succeed and stand where she stands today.
In 2019, when her daughter did not need full time attention and care, Prachi had time to do something for herself while benefitting others. She thought of educating children in a simplified fun-loving way and started the concepts lab initiative from her home.
Any business, craft, art, project needs materials that must be purchased. The components and equipment that she needed to accomplish what she had in mind were expensive. Her biggest hurdle was finance. She used to save up some money and used that amount to buy equipment and components and raw materials. Sometimes it took a couple of months to collect what she needed to make the final end product. Once she made a few, she wondered whether to hold an exhibition or have some type of social event to launch her new initiative into the buyer’s world. However, the pandemic posed another holdback and deterrent. But nothing could cramp her confidence and zeal to make her initiative a success. She found that she could use Amazon platform to sell her product. She had no budget planned towards advertisement, but she had found a place to sell her product. And she waited for the first buyer.
The first order on amazon.in gave her a great boost to go more wholeheartedly into production. When the orders started pouring in from different locations in India, it was very motivating. That is when she decided to unfurl and go for the next level product within her means and without bursting the seams of her financial constraints. She went in for more sophisticated and expensive equipment that could handle bigger output and also stocked up on raw components. But again, some components were not available easily, that’s when she tied up with some suppliers and scaled up her start-up company.
From focussing on just one toy to designing more such projects she kept focus on blending art and craft with science and technology. She ideated educative toys that offer holistic experience and scientific hands-on experiment. Complex ways and methods are used to explain and understand science concepts. She
wanted to simplify the ways of understanding science in all its complexities. She thought of blending technology and science with art and craft to make learning a joyful activity.
Things on the business front took a big leap forward when she got a big order from The Science Park in the university of Pune. The Science Park had a big requirement for her kits and she was able to fulfil the order. This was again a great boost she got in building and strengthening her start-up and upscaling it further.
In the 2nd lockdown she shifted her business to Amravati. First she sold kits on amazon.in . Now has her own ecommerce platform - https://conceptslab.in/ The pricing of her kits is very economical making it affordable and easily available to all children. As a social outreach responsibility, her company gives kits to underprivileged children to give them opportunity as other kids.
Big trees grow from small roots and tiny branches. That is also how conceptslab has slowly taken shape from a home-based initiative to having a bigger business footage.
Prachi began operations in 2019, and working from her home after household chores, she now has a small manufacturing unit and a network of raw material and components suppliers from different locations in India. She currently works her manufacturing unit in Nagpur. From one educational toy she now has 50 different types of circuits of different skill levels and also interesting kits of making batteries with potatoes. Interesting and exciting!
All this in a short span of 3 years! With interference of lockdowns and miniscule budget! But the lockdown also gave an impetus in a roundabout way. Schools remained closed. Classes were online. Kids needed to do projects. Parents needed to keep children fruitfully busy. Her kits were need of the hour. Where there is a thorn, we must look to find a rose.
While facing difficulties and uncertainties, from homemaker to business woman has been an interesting journey. As entrepreneur she juggles her work and family life without neglecting her role as a hands-on mother and housekeeper. As homemaker, she is only being the best mom and best housekeeper she can be and when she is doing her circuits, making new patterns and prototypes, thinking of innovative ideas to explore further, in those hours she assigns for work, she is the engrossed enterprising entrepreneur.
To buy Prachi’s range of do-it-yourself circuit kits click here https://conceptslab.in/ .
Young or old, artist, educator, student or crafter, these kits will light up your happiness.
