Synopsis
Tanvi Jindal Shete, Founder, MuSo says that they envisioned a space where children are not just spectators but active contributors to addressing issues that matter and make a difference.
How about a museum that not just offers experiential memories to a child but also shows the way forward towards ecologically conscious living? In step with such aims, The Museum of Solutions (MuSo) in Mumbai explores topics such as climate change, poverty, inequality using playful learning methods.
Tanvi Jindal Shete, Founder, MuSo says that they envisioned a space where children are not just spectators but active contributors to addressing issues that matter and make a difference. “The museum highlights the solutions children can uncover, emphasising their potential to tackle problems that often perplex adults,” she says. The name “Museum of Solutions”, Shete adds, reflects their belief in children’s unique ability to perceive the world from a fresh perspective and offer innovative solutions to challenges.
The 10-floor museum has exhibitions, activities, engagements, and learning experiences that cover a wide range of topics, including sustainability, social justice and health and the environment.
Some of its activities include a recycle centre which tells how to give new life to old plastic via their special lab. Their Discover lab includes exploring aquatic adventures which help to understand the world of water, conservation and cleanliness efforts. The Grow Lab at MuSo showcases how children can engage in activities like beekeeping, composting, gardening and sustainable farming methods.
The response has been positive since their opening last year, with nearly 100,000 visitors. “By providing a space where children can explore and express their ideas, we aim to nurture the next generation of problem-solvers and change-makers,” Shete adds.
Their upcoming initiatives reflect such aims. For instance, their most recent collaboration includes Standard Chartered Bank and MuSo signing an agreement to jointly incubate the Futuremakers programme by enabling 100 city-based children from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) schools and create a prototype of sustainable solutions for real world problems.
Currently this programme has just been launched and they have selected 50 students from different schools as their first cohort. “These young innovators will work on prototype solutions addressing challenges such as water conservation, sustainable food practices and skill-building in areas like robotics, hand prototyping as well as laser cutting design. Their solutions will be presented to industry leaders and investors in December 2024, with a second cohort’s prototypes set to be showcased in March 2025,” the entrepreneur explains.
The company is also in the process of establishing a Children’s Board at MuSo which aims to give children a meaningful voice and a ‘seat at the table’ in shaping the future. “We believe that children are the future and this board will allow them to actively participate in decisions that affect their world, ensuring that their perspectives are not only heard but also valued,” Shete states.
Article Credit: economictimes.indiatimes