From Classroom Curiosity to Climate Innovation: Young Minds Shine at AKTU Innovation Sprint

Table of Contents

1. A School Student’s Idea Inspired by Environmental Concern
2. Innovation Across Water Conservation and Forest Safety
3. Universities Nurturing the Next Generation of Innovators

At a time when innovation is increasingly linked to technology startups and advanced research labs, a Class 8 student from Lucknow has demonstrated that impactful ideas can emerge from early academic curiosity. During the Next Gen Kalam Innovation Sprint 2024, hosted at Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, young innovators from across Uttar Pradesh presented solutions addressing environmental and technological challenges.

Among the top three winners was Mohammad Anas, whose eco-friendly concept designed to reduce heat emitted by outdoor air conditioning units earned second place in the competition.

The event was organized to mark the birth anniversary of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, widely remembered for encouraging scientific thinking and youth-driven innovation across India.

A School Student’s Idea Inspired by Environmental Concern

Anas, a student of Shyam Sunder Jamunadeen Inter College in the Faizullaganj area, said his idea originated from a simple yet emotional observation birds struggling to survive rising urban temperatures.

Outdoor air-conditioning units release significant heat into surrounding environments, particularly in densely populated areas. Motivated by this issue, Anas began conceptualizing a prototype designed to reduce thermal emissions from such units.

With guidance from his physics teacher, he explored basic scientific principles and converted his concept into a working prototype. The model has already undergone preliminary testing at multiple locations, including demonstrations at administrative facilities.

“I wanted to invent something that could reduce the heat released from AC units after seeing the impact of extreme heat on birds,” Anas said, noting that his teacher helped him understand the scientific framework required to develop the concept.

According to organizers, the AKTU innovation hub will assist selected participants in filing patents and refining their prototypes for future commercialization. If development progresses as expected, Anas hopes the product could reach the market within the next four years.

Innovation Across Water Conservation and Forest Safety

While Anas secured second place, the competition showcased a broader range of student-driven technological solutions addressing real-world problems.

The first prize was awarded to Divy Sharma, a B.Tech student who developed a machine learning-based system to monitor household water usage and detect leaks. The system collects data from multiple water points within a home and integrates it into a mobile application, enabling users to track consumption patterns and prevent wastage.

The prototype is currently being tested at his engineering institution in Ghaziabad and is designed to promote efficient water management at the domestic level.

Third place went to a team from Government Engineering College, Mainpuri, which developed a layered detection system for identifying forest fires. Their model integrates sensor-based hardware with cloud-based data analysis while incorporating satellite inputs to improve early detection accuracy.

The system combines locally developed sensors with satellite datasets, aiming to create a faster and more reliable method for identifying fire outbreaks in forest regions.

Universities Nurturing the Next Generation of Innovators

The Next Gen Kalam Innovation Sprint reflects a growing trend in India’s academic institutions toward encouraging innovation at an early stage. By connecting school and college students with research mentors and incubation platforms, universities are expanding the scope of entrepreneurship beyond traditional higher education frameworks.

Organizers noted that the top three teams received prize amounts of ₹50,000, ₹30,000, and ₹20,000 respectively, along with mentorship support for further development.

Events like these are increasingly positioned not only as competitions but as entry points into the startup ecosystem. By linking classroom curiosity with applied research and patent support, institutions such as AKTU are working to build a pipeline of young innovators prepared to address environmental and technological challenges.

For students like Anas, the recognition represents more than an academic achievement—it marks the beginning of a journey where observation, science, and creativity intersect to shape practical solutions for the future.

EDITED BY – TANISHKA CHAUHAN { STUDENT OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES AND INTERN AT HOSTELBEE}