‘My City, My Lab’ Ideathon Ignites Innovation Across India

The ‘My City, My Lab’ Ideathon, organized by JK Lakshmipat University (JKLU), concluded in a grand celebration of innovation and purpose, as young minds from across India presented transformative solutions to pressing sustainability challenges.

The event witnessed participation from over 200 teams, including schools from remote regions of the country, addressing critical issues aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Designed to foster innovative and sustainable solutions, the competition spanned a diverse range of challenges in urban, rural, and global contexts. Among the standout projects were energy-efficient urban cooling systems, laser-based urban flooding solutions, AI-driven healthcare tools, precision agriculture with NPK and pH sensors, biodegradable mycelium bricks, biogas solutions for clean energy, and dissolved oxygen monitoring for aquaculture. Other innovative ideas included solar-powered water purification systems, AI-enabled smart road safety devices, affordable modular housing, sustainability index apps, and community-led water body rejuvenation efforts.

After three months of rigorous competition from August to November, culminating with the finals at the JKLU campus, 13 teams were shortlisted as finalists:

Suncity School, Sector 37D, Gurugram
Bluebells School International, Kailash Colony, Delhi
D.A.V. Model School, Durgapur (2 teams)
Children’s Academy, Malad East, Mumbai
Children’s Academy, Ashok Nagar, Mumbai
Delhi Public School, Sector-45, Gurgaon (2 teams)
Delhi Public School, Sector Gamma 2, Greater Noida
Sparkling Mindz Global School, Bidarahalli, Bengaluru
Mayoor Chopasni School, Chopasni Rd, Jodhpur
Chinmaya International Residential School, Siruvani Main Rd, Coimbatore
Jayshree Periwal International School, Mahapura, Jaipur

These young innovators travelled to the campus and presented their ideas through detailed prototypes, working models, and comprehensive presentations and a diverse jury, comprising senior faculty members from the university’s design, engineering, and management schools, evaluated their projects.

Ultimately, three teams emerged as winners, impressing the jury with their creative, scalable, and practical solutions to global sustainability challenges:

Winner: Team Vayunigrah from Chinmaya International Residential School, Coimbatore, won Rs 1,00,000 and the winner’s trophy for its groundbreaking technology that converts waste air from air conditioning systems into clean electricity, mitigating the urban heat island effect while delivering significant energy savings.
1^st Runner-Up: Team Future Agritech from D.A.V. Model School, Durgapur, won Rs 75,000 and the 1^st runner-up trophy for its precision agriculture tools optimizing soil health and boosting crop yields to address sustainable farming challenges.
2^nd Runner-Up: Science on Wheels from Sparkling Mindz Global School, Bengaluru, won Rs 50,000 and the 2^nd runner-up trophy for its mobile STEM lab initiative, bridging gaps in rural education and promoting hands-on learning.

Prof Alka Mahajan, Pro Vice-Chancellor of JKLU, lauded the participants’ efforts, stating, “Innovation, sustainability, and mentorship form the core of all our institution-building practices at JKLU. This Ideathon exemplifies our commitment to fostering young changemakers. The sheer creativity, passion, and intelligence showcased by these students reaffirm our belief that today’s youth are equipped to solve tomorrow’s challenges. By providing them with the right platform, mentorship, and encouragement, we empower them to turn their ideas into impactful solutions.”

The winners received cash prizes totalling 2.25 lakhs, trophies, and certificates, while their pioneering ideas will be featured in a coffee table book to be presented to policymakers, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and relevant UN bodies, showcasing the transformative potential of India’s youth.

The ‘My City, My Lab’ Ideathon stands as a testament to JKLU’s vision of bridging education with real-world impact (impactful practice?). By fostering the intersection of technology, sustainability, and social impact, JKLU is committed to creating a movement that empowers youth to contribute meaningfully to nation-building and sustainable development.