Navi Mumbai, March 25, 2024:

A portable chamber to feed babies, a helping robot for doctors and nurses, a child rescue system in an open borewell, a mapping service for shopping complexes, and eco-friendly (maize) plates – these are just some of the 25 unique projects developed by students from Municipal Corporation-run schools in Navi Mumbai and Thane that were showcased at the finale of the fifth annual AWS Think Big Science Carnival on March 22, 2024.

The annual AWS Think Big Science Carnival is a flagship initiative organised by Amazon Web Services (AWS) InCommunities, with support from the Learning Links Foundation, a non-profit organisation. The competition is organised as part of the AWS Think Big Spaces Program, a comprehensive change initiative which provides a platform for students from underserved communities to develop skills in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) subjects early in life, and prepare for science, technology, and maths careers in future. The carnival provides an opportunity for students to identify and attempt to solve problems that they see around them with the use of technology and engineering.

Kalpana Gosavi, Education Extension Officer, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), said, “It’s exciting to see the creativity and innovation of students at the AWS Think Big Science Carnival. I commend the AWS team for spearheading initiatives like this, which inspire children towards science and technology, and extend my gratitude to AWS for their dedication to empower young minds and pave the way for a brighter future. We hope the students are able to use this experience to advance their knowledge and develop innovative ideas that can help serve society well.”

The competition received 250 entries from students studying in grades six to eight from 56 Municipal Corporation schools in Navi Mumbai and Thane. The top 25 most innovative and unique projects finalized by a jury, were showcased at the finale, among which the winners were announced. Expert resource personnel and school teachers supported students in conceptualising and creating the innovative projects.

Winners of the AWS Think Big Science Carnival, 2024

First place: Arya Suresh Sawant and Anushka Santosh Disale, NMMC School No. 17, for Portable Feeding Chamber. The students realized that young mothers find it hard to feed their babies in public places and family events. They presented a model made of an umbrella and cloth which gives mothers a covered space to breastfeed their babies. The model also has an LED light supply inside along with a small window that offers light as well as privacy.

Second place: Nitish Avadhesh Maurya and Vipul Dharmendra Dubey, NMMC School No. 76, for Child Rescue System in Open Borewell. The students got the idea for this invention after seeing the news of a girl who was stuck in a borewell for hours. They came up with the concept of creating a contraption with a camera and a pincer-like device that can latch onto the person and carry them out. The students also plan to add an oxygen cylinder to this device which can help the person who is trapped.

Third place: Anurag Sunil Ghate and Ritesh Rajesh Tawade, NMMC School No. 12, for Food Bank Application. This app helps users share extra food with the poor and needy. After downloading the app, delivery partners can get in touch with the users and collect extra food that can be then shared with those who need it.
Best Innovation Award: Netra Dipak Thorat and Aryan Choudppa Kambale, NMMC School No. 44, for Child Safety Device. Two female students from Mumbai realized that crime rates in the kidnapping of school children are increasing. As smartwatches and other available devices are costly, this project aims at protecting kids with a belt device that is affordable. It runs with the help of sensors which school children can use to sound the alarm to their guardians when in danger, and find help in time.

Best Presentation Award: Ansh Rajesh Sharma and Viraj Vilas Gurav, NMMC School No. 46, for Agribot (Agriculture Robot). The Agribot project was created to ease a farmer’s job in sowing seeds. It is run on solar panels and with the help of sensors and a motor, the device operates to prepare the soil by flattening it, sowing seeds, and watering it.

Sustainability as the core theme

The core theme of this year’s science carnival was sustainability, with students presenting projects under two areas – ‘Eco Warriors’ and ‘Sustainable Cities’ – both of which are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) prescribed by the United Nations.

This year’s edition provided an immersive and educational experience for over 2000 student attendees from 56 schools. The event was meticulously designed with sustainability at its core. From the vibrant creatives and colour schemes to the overarching themes, every element reflected a commitment to environmental consciousness. It also actively promoted sustainability efforts through initiatives such as the Climate Pledge, where students could pledge to uphold eco-friendly practices.

The carnival also provided an opportunity for students to hear about technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), and cloud computing from AWS experts. Students and their teachers also experienced interactive technologies on display, such as demos of Amazon Echo (Alexa) and Augmented Reality.