How this Mumbai museum is helping children become changemakers of the future

How about a? museum What not only offers experiential memories to a child, but also shows the way forward towards an ecologically conscious life? In line with these goals, The Museum of Solutions (muse) in Mumbai explores issues such as climate change, poverty and inequality through its playful learning methods.

Tanvi Jindal SheteThe founder of MuSo says they envisioned a space where children Children are not mere spectators, but actively contribute to addressing important issues that make a difference. “The museum highlights the solutions that children can discover, emphasizing their potential to address problems that often baffle adults,” she says. The name “Solutions Museum,” Shete adds, reflects her belief in children’s unique ability to perceive the world from a new perspective and offer innovative solutions to challenges.

The 10-story museum has exhibits, activities, engagements and learning experiences covering a wide range of topics, including sustainabilitysocial justice and health and environment.

Some of their activities include a recycling centre that teaches how to give new life to old plastic through their special lab. Their Discover Lab includes exploring aquatic adventures that help to understand the world of water and conservation and clean-up initiatives. MuSo’s Grow Lab shows how children can get involved in activities such as beekeeping, composting, gardening and sustainable growing methods.

The response has been positive since its 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 makersadds Shete.

Their upcoming initiatives reflect these goals. For instance, their most recent collaboration includes the signing of an agreement between Standard Chartered Bank and MuSo to jointly incubate the Futuremakers programme, which will enable 100 children from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) schools to prototype sustainable solutions to 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 that address challenges such as water conservation, sustainable food practices and skill development in areas such as robotics, manual prototyping and laser cutting design. Their solutions will be presented to industry leaders and investors in December 2024, and prototypes from a second cohort will be showcased in March 2025,” reveals the entrepreneur. The company is also in the process of establishing a Children’s Council 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 enable them to actively participate in decisions that affect their world, ensuring that their perspectives are not only heard but also valued,” says Shete.