SHINE Vision S.H.I.N.E. – Science & Health Innovation for the Nextgen Explorers – is an ICMR initiative designed to ignite curiosity and inspire school students (Classes 9 to 12) to consider careers in biomedical research. By bringing young minds into the heart of India’s leading research institutes, SHINE aims to showcase impactful scientific work, offer hands-on experiences, and foster one-on-one interactions with expert scientists. The goal is to reach students across India, nurturing the next generation of innovators in health and life sciences. How a Lab Day is Structured SHINE Lab Days offer an immersive, engaging, and interactive experience. The visit begins with a warm welcome and orientation by the Nodal Communication Officer (NCO), who provides a briefing and presents a souvenir featuring the ICMR-institute logo. A message from the Director General of ICMR or the institute director is shared. The “Storytelling Through Science” segment showcases short, student-friendly videos, presentations, and posters highlighting ICMR’s contributions, such as COVID-19 testing, Covaxin, drone-based health delivery, and TB research. Three key research stories by the institute ignite curiosity. The “Hands-on Exploration” phase includes guided lab tours and exhibitions, exposing participants to real research environments and cutting-edge instruments. They interact with scientists and engage in a Q&A session. The visit concludes with recognition and takeaways, including participation certificates and an appreciation for the impact of biomedical science on public health. The visit is structured into two batches, morning and afternoon, for quality engagement. Coordination ensures crowd control, media coverage, and safety. The overarching vision is to inspire scientifically motivated youth to contribute to India’s health research and innovation landscape. Who Can Join Secondary & Senior Secondary students, Grades 9 to 12 Government, Government-Aided and private schools across India Free of cost - no entry fees or charges Held at participating ICMR institutes nationwide Inside a SHINE Lab Day Guided Laboratory Tours: Walk the corridors where diagnostics, vaccines and other health solutions are made. Research Exhibitions: Institute breakthroughs, explained by the researchers behind them. Poster Walks: Science posters students can question, challenge and discuss. Video Presentations: Field studies and ongoing trials, brought to the screen. Live Demonstrations: Real experiments, live - pipettes, microscopes and all. For more details, visit https://shine.icmr.org.in/ Source: ICMR-SHINE