Innovation ChallengeSolve Real-World Problems
The Annual Innovation Challenge is a structured innovation programme where students identify real-world problems, validate them, design practical STEM-based solutions, build prototypes, and present their solutions before a jury in the Grand Finale.
Students learn design thinking, research, model making, presentation skills & problem-solving skills. Unlike conventional classroom learning, where success is often measured by finding the right answer, innovation demands experimentation, failure, iteration and continuous improvement.
Through the Annual Innovation Challenge, students experience this process of scientific discovery as they think, test, refine and innovate solutions to real-world problems—just like scientists and entrepreneurs.
Eleven stages from problem to pitch
Spread over four weeks, teams move through each stage in turn, with workshops and mentor feedback.
Week 1
- 1Understanding UN SDGs
Problems mapped to the UN SDGs.
- 2Problem Cue Cards
Up to four problems pitched per team.
- 3Voting of Problems
Teachers vote; top problem per school.
Week 2
- 4Problem Statement
Defining the project’s scope.
- 5Validating the Problem
Field visits and research.
Week 3
- 6Brainstorming Solutions
Many ideas on a Solutions chart.
- 7Choosing a Direction
The most effective idea becomes the project.
- 8Solution Development
Research, testing and mentor feedback.
Week 4
- 9Models & Prototypes
Building models for the finale.
- 10Mock Presentations
Two guided pitch rehearsals.
- 11Grand Finale Day
Pitch to the jury; prizes.
“Scientific discovery is a process of iteration: try, fail, take feedback and try again, until a real-world solution emerges. Our exam-based system punishes failure, so students rarely learn how innovation actually happens. At AIC, students are free to fail, learn and retry, and build a real-world prototype through this iterative process.”
The S.O.L.V.E.R. framework
An independent and competent jury evaluates the student work on the Grand Finale Day!
From first idea to grand finale
Organise an Innovation Challenge for your schools
See our other programmes
Ask SeniorsCareer Guidance
Students interact with experienced professionals from 35+ diverse career fields and learn to make informed career choices.
Learn from professionals in 35+ career fields.
Financial LiteracyMoney Skills for Life
Practical sessions on money, banking, saving, investments, taxation, insurance and making informed money decisions.
Money, banking, saving, investing and tax basics.
Arts & MediaHands-on Workshops
Filmmaking, cinematography, photography, sketching and sound, taught by faculty at arts and media colleges in real studios.
Film, photography, sketching and sound workshops.
FASTSports Coaching
Overcoming local challenges of coaches, space, equipment and uniforms to bring professional sports education to schools, with regular weekly coaching.
Professional sports coaching, every week, in school.
Sports DayEnd-to-End Management
Interschool sports days with multiple events, age categories, trained referees, medals and smooth on-ground management.
Interschool events, referees and medals.
Sports Exposure VisitAt Professional Sports Complexes
Guided visits where students see professional facilities and try multiple sports under supervision.
Try multiple sports at professional complexes.
Teacher TrainingActivity-Based Teaching Methods
Curriculum-linked workshops where teachers experience, discuss and practise ways to teach difficult concepts.
Workshops to teach difficult concepts by doing.
ASSESS & ABCDLearning-Level Assessments
Student and teacher assessments with granular results by skill, concept and competency, linked with the National Curriculum Framework.
Results by skill, concept and competency.
Life SkillsFor Life Beyond Exams
Age-appropriate sessions in communication, confidence, self-awareness, exam preparation and adolescent development.
Confidence, communication and self-awareness.
Women of SubstanceGuest Lecture Series
Conversations with accomplished women that help girls question stereotypes and explore possibilities.
Accomplished women inspire girl students.
Educational GamesLearning Through Play
Three educational games made in India: I Want To Be! and Ups & Downs on careers, and Kahanikar for storytelling.
I Want To Be!, Ups & Downs and Kahanikar.
STEM EducationAt Higher Education Institutes
Hands-on workshops at Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and Symbiosis Institute of Technology, Pune, in robotics, energy, astronomy, chemistry, biology, maths and coding.
Hands-on workshops at Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and SIT Pune.
Exposure VisitsScience Centres, Museums & Zoo
Guided learning days at science centres, planetariums, museums, the zoo and natural-history institutions.
Learning days at science centres, museums and the zoo.