[Reader-list] IGNITE 2011: the 5th National Competition for Students' Ideas and Innovations

[rohitrellan at aol.in]

IGNITE 2011


National Innovation Foundation - India announces


the 5th National Competition for Students' Ideas and Innovations


in association with


Honey Bee Network, SRISTI, CBSE & other partners





National Innovation Foundation invites submissions of the creative technological ideas/innovations from the students up to class 12th for the fourth national competition for children's ideas and innovations - IGNITE 2011.


What is the IGNITE contest?
IGNITE is a national competition to harness the creative and innovative spirit of school children. Students are invited to send their original creative technological ideas and innovations for the same. IGNITE contest was first organised in 2007 by NIF in the four southern states. Building upon this experience, NIF partnered with CBSE in 2008 and 2009 and launched the contest nationally. IGNITE 2010 saw 2139 entries received from 161 districts of the country. The awards were given by Hon'ble Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in a function at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad on November 8, 2010.


Why the IGNITE contest?
Creativity among children is almost in-born, every child is creative, degrees may vary, but not the basic manifestation. Then what happens during the growth and maturation? Why should children stop asking basic questions? Why do they agree to do repetitive science projects instead of being original? Why do they learn to live with unsolved social and professional problems? We should not allow our children to live with such problems rather urge them to come up with solutions to these. We want to promote originality, creativity and innovative spirit among our children so that when they become leaders of our society, they ensure an imaginative, inclusive and an innovative future for the country. We want our children to be more sensitive to the problems faced by not just them and their families or neighbors but also other socially disadvantaged sections of the society.


What is invited for the IGNITE contest?


Original creative technological ideas and innovations of the students OR/AND Any technological idea/innovation that solves any daily problem be it household, of porters, labourers, or the like. In addition, during their vacations or otherwise, the students are encouraged to look for other people who come out with innovative machines/devices or solve day to day problems using their creativity. Similarly they are also encouraged to document and learn traditional knowledge practices from their elders in their family and neighbourhood. The purpose is to expose them to the rich traditional heritage we have, facilitating its transfer from generation to generation. The students submitting the maximum number of properly documented entries (Innovations/Traditional Knowledge) to the schools (which would forward them to NIF) or directly to NIF would be given appreciation certificates from NIF. For each innovation/traditional knowledge practice spotted and documented by the student, he/she will be credited as being the 'Scout' for that particular innovation/traditional knowledge in records.


What is the competition period?


The entries will be received till August 31st, 2011.


How can the submissions be sent?


The submissions for the contest can be made to us through the following means.
1. Email the details at ignite11 at nifindia.org 
2. Mail them at the following address (directly/through the Principal)


IGNITE 2011 
National Innovation Foundation, India 
Bungalow 1, Satellite Complex, 
Premchand Nagar Road, Satellite
Ahmedabad 380 015, Gujarat


Is there any limit to the number of entries submitted during the competition period?
No. The students are encouraged to submit as many entries as possible.


Can there be groups or only individual submissions?
Students can submit entries in group provided each member of the group contributes significantly to the development of the idea/innovation/project. Groups where teachers/parents are included will not be considered.


Are there any separate awards for individual or groups?
No


Is there any age limit for students?
As the competition is for students upto class 12, the maximum age is expected to be about 17-18 years.


Can only students with science background apply for the competition?
Students from any background arts, commerce etc can participate in the competition.


Is there any particular format for submission of entries?
There is no particular format for submission. However, the following should be clearly mentioned - name, age, class, school name & address, home address & contact number, title of the project/idea/innovation, detailed description, diagrams/sketches/photos if any and a simple declaration that the project has been done by the student himself/herself without guidance from teachers/parents. If required later we may request a declaration from school and/or parents that the project of the student has been unsupervised.


Is a working model required along with the submission?
Not at this stage. If required later we would ourselves let the student know and may even facilitate the development of the prototype/model.


Are any photos/videos/sketches of the idea/innovation/project required?
Yes, if available. These would help our experts to properly understand and evaluate the submission.


When will the awards be announced and given?
The name of the winners will be announced on October 15th 2011. The awards will later be given at his convenience by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. October 15th , the birthday of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, is celebrated as Children's Creativity and Innovation Day by NIF.  


How many prizes will be given in the competition?  
There is no fixed number of awards. It will depend upon the number of quality entries that we receive and which we can recognize in the function.


Is there going to be an exhibition?
Yes, there will be an exhibition of only the awarded projects/ideas/innovations. Working or illustrative models and/or posters in case of ideas would be required for the same.


Will NIF support for travel for the exhibition?


NIF will provide to and fro train travel support to the student(s) and one person accompanying the student(s) from the student's home town to Ahmedabad. Local hospitality will be provided by NIF in Ahmedabad. Any other person(s) accompanying the award winner or any other person interested to visit the exhibition would have to bear all their costs (travel/stay/food) themselves.


What type of submissions will NOT be considered?
Simple essays, write-ups on problems like population, corruption, global warming, unemployment etc will not be accepted as well as common projects/concepts (from text books/other make yourself books) like hydel power project, rain water harvesting, water level indicators, vermi compost/ vermiwash, letter box alarm and other alarms, using turbines to generate energy, using solar energy to do various things, electricity generation through waste batteries/dung/transport/waves or earthquake alarm. Projects guided by teachers/parents. Teachers and parents are specifically requested not to be suggestive to the children and let them come up with some creative idea of their own. In case, the teachers or parents have an interesting idea(s) they can send it to us separately.


What kind of support NIF will provide to good ideas/innovations?
All practical and useful ideas/innovations may be given financial and mentoring support. In the deserving cases, patents will be filed in their name at no cost to them. It is also possible that some of the ideas might attract entrepreneurs and these may get licensed for monetary consideration.


Whom to contact in case of any doubt?
Any queries may be addressed to NIF at 
Email: ignite11 at nifindia.org or 
Telephone numbers +91-79-26732456 / 2095, 
Fax: +91-79-26731903 or 
Toll Free No.: 1800 233 5555