India Innovation Challenge 2024: Championing Quality Education

Are you passionate about creating innovative solutions to tackle challenges in education? Do you have ideas that can revolutionise learning and empower communities? If so, you're in the right place!

The India Innovation Challenge – SDG 4 is a platform dedicated to nurturing and promoting innovation in education, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Our mission is to inspire and support the next generation of innovators to drive positive change in education across India and around the world.
 

Why this challenge is important?

Quality education is a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of a sustainable, peaceful, and prosperous world. Although considerable progress has been made, many challenges persist, particularly in remote and underserved areas. We can bridge educational gaps and improve outcomes globally by empowering young people to develop technology-driven solutions and innovative learning methods.

Key areas of focus:

• Enhancing access to quality education: Utilising technology to reach remote and marginalised communities.
• Improving teacher training: Creating programs that boost teaching effectiveness and student engagement.
• Innovative learning tools: Developing personalised and adaptive learning experiences through new educational platforms.

Join us in our mission to drive innovation and create lasting change in education. Together, let's make SDG 4 a reality for every child in India! Ready to innovate? Register now and join the India Innovation Challenge – SDG 4 journey!
 

Key dates

• Briefing session 1: Saturday 6 July 2024, 12:30 pm (IST)
• Briefing session 2: Monday 29 July 2024, 11:30 am (IST)
• Q&A session: Sunday 18 August 2024, 11:30 am (IST)
• Submission deadline: Thursday 5 September 2024
   

Prizes

• First prize: Apple iPad (or similar) for each team member and teacher mentor
• Second prize: Samsung or OnePlus tablet for each team member and teacher mentor
• Third Prize: Smartwatch for each team member and teacher mentor

Winning teams will be honoured at an awards ceremony and their work will be highlighted on the University’s website and social media channels. If interested, they will receive one-on-one guidance from the School Engagement Team – India to assist with their application process.
 

Who is eligible?

• Students aged 16-19 currently in Grade 11 or 12
• Studying and residing in India
   

How to apply?

1. Register and attend: Sign up for the competition briefing sessions on Zoom.
2. Form your team: Form a team of 1-3 students and a teacher mentor.
3. Create a video: Develop a 4–5-minute video highlighting your innovative solution.
4. Submit your application: Upload your video on YouTube and complete the application form with the required details.

Meet our winners from 2023

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. 

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.  

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. 

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.