India Innovation Challenge
Become a climate change champion
The India Innovation Challenge offers Indian students a chance to showcase their innovative ideas and critical thinking skills to help address and solve the global issue of climate change.
Youth play a crucial role in combating climate change. The role of youth in fighting the complex scientific problems and social uncertainty presented by climate change is critical to the future of the planet. Cultivating awareness among members of the next generation is a process that will impact an infinite number of global custodians.
The University of Sydney recognises that one of the most critical global challenges faced by humanity today is climate change and its effects. In August 2020, we launched our Climate Action Statement to add our voice to a growing body of institutions calling for urgent action on climate change. We are committed to reviewing the University's progress on addressing climate change and SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) 13 every two years, and to enhancing performance in alignment with the Climate Action Statement and through efforts to reach targets within the Sustainability Strategy.
First Place: Waves of Change
Ms. Shreya Saboo, Mr. Sahil Gada and Mr. Aarav Patnaik
Teacher mentor: Ms. Shanta Chowdhury
School: Prabhavati Padamashi Soni International School & Junior College, Mumbai
Amid sunlit shores, "Waves of Change" rippled through the video. The team visits Mumbai's National Institute of Oceanography, grappling with climate's impact. Senior Scientist Dr. Fulke's wisdom enriches their journey. Our visit to the ship - Bashundhara Malika at the JNPT Port, reveals new innovations - hydrogen from decalin and harnessing the Magnus Effect to produce renewable wind energy. The students envision AI-guided rotor sails and explore hydrogen's potential. Dr. Fulke's insights merge, shaping an eco-dialogue. The ship transforms into an arena for eco-feats - promising hydrogen creation and wind-powered propulsion. An ending emerges as a figure gazes forward, symbolizing eco-aspirations. A blend of innovation and inquiry, the video salutes a greener horizon.
Second Place: ComFORCE
Mr. Arav Dhoot and Mr. Anmol Maheshwari
Teacher mentor: Ms. Manaswi Mathur
School: Neerja Modi School, Jaipur
Immature or poor-quality compost does not yield optimal results and may lead to the immobilization of nutrients in the soil. Finding a solution to this problem is ComFORCE, built on a Raspberry Pi architecture and using data from temperature, moisture, pH, and NPK sensors can determine the quality and maturity of soil. The backbone of this device are two machine learning models: a logistic regression model and a linear regression model. The device returns a quality score (between 0 and 100) and the maturity stage (mesophilic, thermophilic, or curing). ComFORCE also assists farmers in improving the quality of their compost if it falls below a certain threshold.
Joint Third Place: Grey Matter
Mr. Gnanendra Santosh, Mr. Navinesh Kowshik and Mr. Vikhyath V Bhanavar
Teacher mentor: Mr. Sanmuka Munugala
Schoo: The Creative School, Bengaluru
The Gray Matter project is focused on waste management as it is being done inefficiently. Therefore, the group found a solution to this issue. Gray Matter is an explanation of our idea on how to convert human waste into compost. By executing the idea practically on the school’s farmland and showcasing the results, they created organic compost from the sludge remaining in the school's waste management system, DEWATS Vortex STP. As the sludge produces large amounts of methane, they have designed a device that enables the collection of the methane and use it as fuel in the school's kitchen. The 3D modelling shown, clearly explains the process and the result.
Joint Third Place: Carbon Net Neutral Project - CNNP
Mr. Lakshyaraj Deora, Ms. Divya Sijwali and Mr. Priyansh Beniwal
Teacher mentor: Mr. David Arul Raj Moses Stanley
School: Kodaikanal International School, Kodaikanal
The Carbon Net Neutral Initiative is a genuine effort aimed at combating climate change. Kodaikanal International School has planted over 600 trees (with the numbers only increasing), contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions and the preservation of a diverse range of flora and fauna. In addition, they have successfully introduced smokeless stoves in over 68 households. These stoves are designed to use less wood and emit fewer pollutants, thereby contributing to cleaner air. By joining forces, they aim to establish a cleaner and more environmentally friendly world.
FAQs
- Registration opens for Competition Briefing session 1 – Monday 24 July 2023
- Registration opens for Competition Briefing session 2 – Monday 7 August 2023
- Competition Briefing session 2 - Saturday 12 August 2023 10.00AM (IST)
- Last Date for Competition Video Submission- Sunday 27 August 2023 7.29 pm (IST) / 11.59pm (AEST)
- Virtual Award ceremony and Winner Announcement– Week of 25 - 28 September 2023
Participation is open to students pursuing Grade 11/12 at any English medium school in India (Any Education Board)
Participants to submit their entries directly through the Entry form link on the competition landing page.
Students need to submit their project information in the format described below:
- All project information and submissions must be in English.
- Format: Video uploaded on YouTube and link to be submitted by the stipulated deadline.
- The video should have the following mandatory information:
- Topic- Name of Project with the two chosen areas
- School Name, city, and Branch if any
- Name of each team member along with Grade
- Email ID and contact Number of each team mentor.
- Name, Email ID, and contact Number of Teacher mentor.
To create a video about their project, students could:
- Make the video engaging and present the message with creativity and originality.
- Follow the tips on YouTube Help website to upload their video.
- Make sure they own the copyrights of all pictures, videos, animations, sounds, content, and any material used in the creation of their project. Any software used must be licensed and credits given for any material used.
- Attend the competition Information session for more details.
No, participation in the competition is free of charge.
The last date for submission of the entries is Sunday 27 August 2023 7.29 pm (IST) / 11.59 pm (AEST).
No, each participating team can enter only one project entry. Each school can have multiple teams participating in the competition. Any student can only be a part of only one participating team from the school.
Yes, students may take the help of a teacher. In such case the teacher’s details must be mentioned in the Application Form.
Yes, but it should follow the specified guidelines of submission for the competition.
- Incomplete submissions
- Late submissions
- Lack of ownership of creative rights or infringement of copyrights of others
- Non-confirmation to the rules of the competition guidelines.
Each submission will be evaluated against the degree to which the submission meets the entry criteria and to which the ideas and actions were deemed to be innovative, transformative, and impactful. The weightage distribution is as follows:
- RELEVANCE | Addressing the chosen areas of Impact on climate change, relevance, potential = 25% weightage
- CONTENT | Quality and comprehensiveness = 25% weightage
- INNOVATION | Originality and newness of the idea = 25% weightage
- IMPACT | Impact on community & society = 25% weightage
An expert judging panel comprising of Faculty members from University of Sydney will score and comment on the submissions.
The submissions will be reviewed by the judging panel from 28 August to 22 September 2023.
- The results will be conveyed through an online Results and Award ceremony during the week of 25 September – 28 September 2023.
- All teams will be notified via email by the University of Sydney and contacted directly to plan their participation at the Online Award Ceremony.
- All participating students will receive e-Certificates of Participation from University of Sydney.