“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” — Steve Jobs
The Spark Lab, the innovation hub of Delhi Public School R.K. Puram, hosted its annual inter-school fest- Ignite 1.0, on July 26, 2025. The flagship event celebrated individuality, innovation and experiential learning, serving as a platform for schools across Delhi NCR to showcase their innovation, creative thinking skills and ability to solve problems.
The event was conducted in hybrid mode, allowing both onsite and virtual participation. The event featured a mix of five dynamic events, each of which allowed the young, brilliant minds to put their problem-solving skills to the test and adopt a more solution-oriented mindset. Ignite 1.0 garnered enthusiastic participation from over twenty schools across Delhi NCR.
The following events were a part of the summit:
I AM A SUPERHERO: MY SUPERPOWERS, MY SOLUTIONS, MY IMPACT (ONLINE):
In this event, individual participants from classes VI-VIII made digital or handmade posters along with a short backstory of their unique self-created superheroes to showcase the real-world problem they solve, all within a budget of ₹50,000. This gave students the opportunity to combine their problem-solving skills with entrepreneurial thinking. Students were judged on their creativity, relevance of the project, budgeting and presentation skills by Ms Deepa S Garg, Associate Professor, College of Vocational Studies, University of Delhi and Dr Kohinoor Kaur, Assistant Professor, Institute of Home Economics at Delhi University.
The specific topics included:
- Using technology to make life better
- Creating a greener, cleaner world
- Standing up for what’s right
INNOVATOR’S LENS: LIGHTS, IDEAS, ACTION! (ONLINE)
This event comprised teams of two students from classes VI-VII wherein they selected a topic and created a three-minute video, in which they addressed a real-world problem with an innovative solution and explained how it could be turned into a viable and sustainable business model. The young minds used this opportunity to show their vivid imagination which also helped to foster their entrepreneurial thinking. The judges, Dr Nisha Bamel, a PHD holder in Strategic Management from IIT Delhi, and Ms Abhilasha Chandra, a representative of Keystone Integrated Marketing Services, judged the students on their creativity, problem identification skills, the solution created and its impact. The topics were as follows:
- A Startup for Startups: An idea that helps others start their own businesses
- Disaster Management: Innovative ways to improve disaster response and recovery
- Healthcare: Making quality healthcare accessible to the poor
INDIA’S THINK TANK: INNOVATE TODAY, TRANSFORM TOMORROW (OFFLINE)
The think tank invited students from classes IX-X in teams of three to tackle the distinct and urgent problems faced by India. Held in two rounds, the first in which the participants pitched their ideas and the second, in which they made it come to life. Tapping into their problem-solving capabilities, they analyzed one given problem statement and then formulated a creative yet feasible solution before presenting it to the judges, Chef Sambhavi Joshi and Mr Nisshant Laroia.
The problem statements were:
- The plastic dilemma
- Safer nights on the roads
- Taming the noise
- Cooling without a plug
- Touchless Tech
- The space-saver challenge
CHANGE MAKERS’ ARENA: REFORM THROUGH RHETORIC (OFFLINE)
This competition aimed to promote civic awareness and critical thinking leadership among students. Students from grades XI and XII, working in teams of two, had to reimagine and reconstruct broken systems within India’s major social institutions. Researching a pressing societal issue from the ones provided to them, they created a well-designed, impactful solution, which they then presented to the panel of judges, Ms Inakshi, Assistant Professor, Ramanujan College, University of Delhi and Ms Monika Bansal, Associate Professor, Deen Dayal Upadhyay College, University of Delhi.
Societal issues were provided from the following social institutions:
- Judicial system
- Police and Law enforcement
- Media and misinformation
- Bureaucracy and Public Services
BUILD-4-IMPACT: FOUR THEMES. INFINITE POSSIBILITIES.
Students from grades IX-XII participated in this dynamic model-making competition in teams of two. Participating teams selected one prompt from each of four innovation categories and then developed and constructed a physical prototype that offers an innovative solution to a real-world problem. This event stayed true to its name as the participants showed that their imagination had no limits while displaying impressive entrepreneurial problem-solving skills. The judges, Professor Umesh Bamel, Associate Professor, IMI Delhi and Professor Mahima Kaushik, a member of the Cluster Innovation Centre, University of Delhi, judged the students on the basis of their innovation, integration of prompts, feasibility and impact. The four categories were:
- Science
- Technology
- Social impact
- X-factor
Valedictory Ceremony – IGNITE 1.0
The Valedictory Ceremony marked the formal conclusion of IGNITE 1.0 which commenced with a traditional Indian harmonic performance by the students, setting a dignified tone for the proceedings. In commemoration of the 26th anniversary of the Kargil War, a poignant dance performance titled ‘Dance for the Brave’ paid tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the Indian soldiers, evoking deep patriotic sentiment.
The Principal, Mr. Anil Kumar, addressed the gathering, highlighting the innovative spirit of IGNITE 1.0 while honouring the legacy of the Kargil War. He made special mention of Param Vir Chakra awardee Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Yogendra Yadav, who, at just 18 years of age, fought valiantly in the war despite being critically injured. His story served as a powerful reminder of resilience and dedication, inspiring students to strive for excellence. The Principal concluded his address by commending the participants for their creativity and commitment. Ms. Sangita Bajpai announced the results, bringing the event to a close.
RESULTS
| EVENT: I AM A SUPERHERO | |
| FIRST POSITION | Indraprastha World School |
| SECOND POSITION | DPS International, Saket |
| THIRD POSITION | Mount Abu School, Rohini |
| EVENT: INNOVATORS’ LENS | |
| FIRST POSITION | Delhi Public School, Faridabad |
| SECOND POSITION | Amity International School, Sector 44, Noida |
| THIRD POSITION | DPS Indirapuram |
| EVENT: INDIA’S THINK TANK | |
| FIRST POSITION | Springdales School Dhaula Kuan |
| SECOND POSITION | Darbari Lal DAV Model School |
| THIRD POSITION | Amity International School |
| EVENT: CHANGE MAKERS’ ARENA | |
| FIRST POSITION | Mount Abu Public School |
| SECOND POSITION | Delhi Public School, Gautam Budh Nagar |
| THIRD POSITION | Summer Fields School and Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram |
| EVENT: BUILD-4-IMPACT | |
| FIRST POSITION | Delhi Public School, Indirapuram |
| SECOND POSITION | Delhi Public School, Faridabad |
| THIRD POSITION | Bal Bharati Public School, Pitampura |