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- the IGNITE 2010. More information about IGNITE is mentioned below

What is the IGNITE contest?

IGNITE is a national competition to harness the creative and innovative spirit of school children. Students are nvited to send their creative technological ideas and innovations for the same. IGNITE contest was first organised in 2007 by NIF in the four southern states. Building upon the experience, NIF partnered with CBSE in 2008 and launched the contest nationally. For the IGNITE 2008 competition 961 entries were submitted from over 62 districts of 19 states. The awards were given by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam in a function at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad on November 26, 2008. In IGNITE 09 competition, 1344 entries were received from the students of 82 districts of 21 states. The award function for the same is scheduled in November end.

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.

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.

The submissions for the contest till the last date August 30, 2010 can be made to us through the following means. 1. Email the details at ignite10@nifindia.org ,2. Mail them at the following address (directly/through the Principal)

IGNITE 2010 National Innovation Foundation, India Bungalow 1, Satellite Complex, Premchand Nagar Road, Vastrapur 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

When will the awards be announced and given?

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 (to be considered for possible recognition by SRISTI and not NIF. NIF will forward the same).

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. * Patent has been filed in the name of Atchara and Preethi, winners of IGNITE 2007 for their project ‘Respirometer'. The process for filing the patents of other deserving cases of IGNITE has been initiated.

Any queries may be addressed to NIF at email: ignite10@nifindia.org or Telephone numbers +91-79-2673 2456/2095, Fax: +91-79-2673 1903 or Toll Free No.: 1800 233 5555