The Telangana School Innovation Challenge 2021-22, a collective effort by UNICEF India, Telangana State Innovation Cell (TSIC) ITE&C Department, Government of Telangana, Telangana School Education Wing, and Inqui-Lab Foundation, that seeks to foster the spirit of innovation amongst school children, concluded this year with the top twenty finalist teams from across the state showcasing their winning ideas in a grand finale held today at Taramati Baradari, Hyderabad.
This year a total of 5,387 schools from 33 districts of Telangana registered for the challenge and 7,003 teachers were trained to guide the students on Design Thinking & Innovation throughout the challenge. A total of 25,166 students and 11,037 teams are taking part in the challenge and submitting their ideas after completing the online course on design thinking. Bootcamps were conducted for the 79 shortlisted best ideas to introduce the students to the tools and techniques of prototyping and solution testing at their respective schools. After several rounds of evaluation, 20 ideas were shortlisted for the grand finale held today in Hyderabad.
The winning teams include; Eco-friendly medicine bag by TSMS Dharmaram, Peddapalli district, Multipurpose Portable Room, TSMS Nellikudu, Mahabubabad, Intravenous Fluid Indicator, Andhra Mahila Saba Obul-Reddy, Hyderabad, Heat Maize Device, ZPHS Velagnoor, Mancherial, and E-Tickets for Bus Travel. E-tickets for Bus travel, ZPHS Mulasala, Peddapalli district. The Department of School Education has allocated 30 lakhs funds to support student innovators.
Minister of IT, Mr K.T. Rama Rao said: “While inquisitiveness and interest are existing amongst the students, it is our responsibility to tap the same and build an innovative mindset. Today’s ideas are not only innovative in the way they look but the purpose is being addressed. Telangana Government has created a whole new vibrant innovation ecosystem addressing the needs in a sector-specific manner for innovators. School Innovation Challenge 2021 is a testimony to what happens when like-minded people come together for nurturing innovation.”
Education Minister Smt. Sabitha Indra Reddy, said the government of Telangana and the education department have consistently pioneered in taking first-of-its-kind initiatives along the lines of teaching with technology intervention, a new-age curriculum for complimenting students mindset with changing dynamics. With the recent Mana Ooru Mana Badi, we are working towards the holistic development of a school. One such effort is to inculcate innovation among school children is School Innovation Challenge, initiated by Telangana Government in collaboration with UNICEF India and Inqui-Lab Foundation, to programmatically inculcate the concept of Design Thinking & Innovation among the students and teachers.”
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao