Six teams comprising 14 students drawn from schools run by the Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (APSWREIS) are busy upgrading their projects that were selected in the preliminary round of the Innovation Marathon, a joint collaboration of Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Ayog and The Better India. The ‘Marathon’ is launched to further the spirit of innovation by recognising ideas developed by young Indians to solve some of the country’s most pressing challenges. The Innovation Marathon is a nation-wide drive open for participation for students under the age of 18.
The selected students are: V. Mrudula and Ch. Maheswari from Pedapavani in Prakasam district, who developed a cattle-alert system which can be operated in agricultural fields, and qualified for the second round, S. Afreen and P. Akshaya from Adoni in Kurnool district (Project: Water leakage identification in pipes); E. Avilasha and K. Chandu Priya from Kovvuru in West Godavari district (Project: low-cost multi-level dust indication in garbage bins); B. Aswini and A. Jayalakshmi from Komarada in Vizianagaram (Project: Agri-tech kit for sensing soil parameters); G. Mounika, K.L.S.P. Varshini and Bharathi from Visakhapatnam (Project: Multi-process agriculture robot) and T. Priyanka, M. Sandhya Sri and D. Hemalatha from Tallapalem in Visakhapatnam (Project: Helping the hearing impaired to hear).
The students submitted their projects in November last year. R. Ramana, Director of Atal Innovation Mission, said of the over 1,500 projects, 200 of them were selected for the next round of the competition. Of them, nine are from Andhra Pradesh and of these, six are from the Social Welfare Residential Schools.
The students have been asked to further refine and upload the improved version of their prototype before April 30. A panel of eminent jury drawn from different walks of life will select top 50 projects in May and these projects will be given cash prizes, internship opportunities and a chance to visit the industry.
Atal Tinkering Labs
The Atal Innovation Mission has selected 5,441 schools to set up Atal Tinkering Labs to promote innovation ecosystem in schools by providing a grant of ₹20 lakh and guidance to set up these labs.
“The Atal Tinkering Labs are innovative hubs equipped with latest technology like 3D printers, programmable artificial brains, sensors, robotic kits,” said Vinay Babu, coordinator for ATLs in the Society schools.
