Manipal University - the pioneer for providing world-class education and INK, a community that transforms imagination to impact, has come together to launch ‘Teenovators 2015’ – a National Innovation Challenge for 9th to 12th standard students and teachers.
With our rapidly changing world and unrelenting challenges of resource depletion, pollution and climatic issues, there is a need for a creative response from our education system. The future generation needs to be equipped with strong basic skills and specialist technical knowledge, as well as attitude and wider skills to generate radical new solutions. Manipal University and INK has identified the need for promoting innovative skills at a young age to encourage radical new solutions.
The launch of Teenovators 2015 also saw young students from Purnaprajna, National Public School, Sri Vani Public School , St Josephs High School and Carmel Convent come together to light the ‘Torch of Innovation’ symbolizing the power of innovation and seeding the thought of entrepreneurship at a young age. The torch will relay across 8 cities, travelling to 400+ schools and inspire young minds to build solutions that will change the world.
Teenovators is a one-of-a-kind national level championship initiated to promote innovation mindset among the student fraternity in India. It aims to encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship in young adults and create a platform for the Gen Next innovators to showcase their creative ideas.
“Creativity has been drummed out of the education curriculum. Children need to be encouraged to take initiative and solve their own problems. This helps develop entrepreneurial traits at an early age. INK not only provides inspiration, but is also a springboard to launch ideas into creative action. We are happy to be associated with INK to promote Teenovators and encourage interesting ideas.” – said Dr. G.K Prabhu, Registrar of Manipal University.
“Children are our most valuable resource; they are the leaders of the future. Unlike the current education system focusing solely on theoretical knowledge, cultivating entrepreneurship in the young age is vital for their well-rounded growth and for creating future entrepreneurs. We believe nurturing young minds and building a supportive environment will help mould them into full, productive citizens. We are happy and excited to be associated with such an esteemed institute as Manipal University and create a space for students to be creative and independent thinkers.” – said Lakshmi Pratury, Host and Curator of the INK Conference.
Speaking about their experience, Yash from Purnaprajna School, who participated in last year’s Teenovators said “Tell me - I forget, teach me - I remember, involve me - I learn. This is what made Teenovators interesting because it involved each one of us. Through this competition, we truly experienced team work. We often wondered about the energy sources that are abundant in the universe unutilized - one of them being - Radiowaves. We, as a team got together and designed a device which could convert Radiowaves into electricity. It was a phenomenal experience. This competition is a harmonious blend of fun and learning, or in fact the learning itself was fun”.
Teenovators 2015 is open to 400 Higher Secondary Schools (9th to 12th standard) from the following cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Hyderabad, Udupi, Manipal and Chandigarh. Each of these 400 schools will select a team of 5 students and one Faculty member to take part in the Championship. Schools are given about 6 months to complete the project.
The subject areas for the project can be Behavioral & Social Sciences, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Sciences and Life Science.
Projects will be shortlisted in 3 stages – quarter-finals, semi-finals and Finals. After quarter-finals, 24 of the shortlisted teams will get a chance to showcase their work in the reputed INK Live conference at Mumbai. Top 8 teams shortlisted after semi-finals will attend the Finale in Manipal. A jury of eminent professionals will judge and shortlist the top 3 teams. The winning teams will receive the prestigious TEENOVATOR of the Year certificate and also a total cash prize worth Rs. 10 lakhs.
Besides, Teenovators also conducts an Innovation Challenge (Written Test) which is designed to assess the Innovation Quotient of students. All students from 9th – 12th Standard in these schools can use this opportunity to assess their innovation skills which may come of use in their future.
About INK
INK is a community that transforms imagination to impact. This platform for innovation is committed to sharing inspiring stories and disruptive thinking – gathered from the most unexpected sources. INK is a movement where we write our future… together.
About Manipal University
Manipal University is nestled on a plateau in Karnataka’s Udupi district. The University is synonymous with excellence in higher education. Over 28,000 students from 57 different nations live, learn and play in the sprawling University town. It also has nearly 2500 faculty teaching in various professional institutions in health sciences, engineering, management, communication and humanities which dot the Campus.
PhotoCaption: School students along with Dr G K Prabhu – Registrar - Manipal University & Lakshmi Pratury– Founder & Curator - INK, light the ‘Torch of Innovation’ at the Launch of Manipal University Teenovators in association with INK - a National Innovation Challenge for 9th to 12th standard students.
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