From a women’s safety device, and an insulin cooling box, to a smart road repair solution, the top 25 finalists from Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) and Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) schools displayed innovative projects at the sixth annual Think Big Science Carnival, organized by Amazon. The event was held at the CIDCO Exhibition Centre, Navi Mumbai, where more than 2,800 students and over 100 teachers from NMMC and TMC schools, government officials, and industry representatives attended.
The Think Big Science Carnival is a flagship initiative under the Amazon Think Big Spaces program in India, organized in collaboration with the Learning Links Foundation. This annual challenge is a platform for students from underserved communities to explore and excel in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) disciplines. By identifying and addressing unmet, real-world problems through the application of technology and engineering, the carnival creates awareness of science and technology and equips young minds with the experience needed to pursue successful STEAM careers.
Student projects are based on multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) prescribed by the United Nations. This year’s carnival, themed “Inclusive Innovation”, witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 260 project entries submitted by students.
The top 25 finalist teams presented their ideas to a jury for a chance to win awards recognizing their innovation, creativity, and impact. The Electronic Health Card, Smart Train Coupling, and Ticket Scanning Machine were selected as the top three projects. The Insulin Cooling Box received the Best Innovation award, while the Elder Care Wheelchair secured the Best Presentation award. The Women Safety Device won the ‘Popular Choice’ award.
Sergio Loureiro, Vice President of Global Data Center Operations, AWS, delivered the keynote speech, emphasising the need for students to develop a builder’s mindset for careers in STEM, and as an important life skill to have.
Addressing the gathering, Sangharatna Khillare, Deputy Commissioner, Education and Law, NMMC, who was the chief guest at the event said, “Our aim is to ignite a passion for STEM among school children, helping them understand and get inspired by subjects like science, math, and technology. This collective effort has been made possible thanks to Amazon and the Learning Links Foundation, and I am deeply grateful to them. I extend my best wishes to the children as well. Everyone is contributing at their own level – the children are eager to learn, the teachers are dedicated to providing them with guidance, and the representatives are investing their time to ensure the kids learn something new, and Amazon and Learning Links Foundation are working tirelessly to reach as many children as possible.”
The guest of honour for the carnival was Prateek Khandelwal, a Social Entrepreneur leading RampMyCity, a physical accessibility start-up that aims to improve the quality of life of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and the elderly population of India. He founded RampMyCity in 2020 after suffering a paraplegia due to a spinal cord injury in 2014, which motivated him to work towards making cities more sustainable, inclusive, and accessible for all. Speaking about the carnival, Prateek Khandelwal said, “Disability is a natural part of human diversity and embracing it is vital for building a truly inclusive society. When we stop being part of the problem and start becoming part of the solution, we pave the way for a nation where everyone has the freedom to thrive. Events like the Amazon Think Big Science Carnival play a vital role in creating awareness of societal problems among students, and enabling them to develop innovative solutions that enhance inclusivity in society.”
Students were supported throughout their project journeys by expert mentors and dedicated teachers, fostering a hands-on learning environment to nurture their interest in STEAM disciplines.
This year’s carnival celebrated the ingenuity of India’s next generation of thinkers, tinkerers, and trailblazers, setting the stage for a future filled with innovation and opportunity. It also featured interactive demonstrations and expert-led sessions.
