“Workshop on Innovation & Entrepreneurship in FX CBSE School- ATAL Tinkering Lab”

On 21.01.2025, a “Workshop on Innovation & Entrepreneurship in FX CBSE School- ATAL Tinkering Lab” was organized by the Entrepreneurship Development Cell and IIC in association with the Department of MCA. The session was handled by Dr.M.Vijaya Maheswari, Assistant Professor, Master of Computer Applications, FXEC from 9.30AM to 10.30AM. 43students and 2 faculties participated. This event was conducted with the guidance of Dr. Lourdes Poobala Rayen, EDC Director.

The program started with the welcome address by Mrs, Bhuvaneshwari, Vice- Prinicpal, FX CBSE School and introduced the guest speaker. The seminar began with an overview of “Innovation and Entrepreneurship” which aimed to foster creative thinking, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial skills among school students. The ATL initiative, under the aegis of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), encourages young minds to ideate and innovate in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This workshop was designed to instill an entrepreneurial mindset and expose students to real-world challenges and opportunities. The speaker mentioned the objective of the workshop as to promote a culture of innovation and creativity among students, to provide hands-on exposure to entrepreneurial concepts, to empower students to identify problems in their communities and create viable solutions using technological tools, and to develop teamwork, critical thinking, and leadership skills.

The speaker explained the concepts of entrepreneurship, ideation, market research and marketing. She also presented the case studies of young entrepreneurs and their innovations in solving real world problems. Explanation of entrepreneurial concepts such as ideation, market research, and prototyping were also given by the speaker. Brainstorming exercises were given to the students to identify local problems and propose innovative solutions. Speaker suggested ideas to develop innovative project like eco-friendly waste management systems to AI-powered educational tools. Entrepreneurs’ stories were shared to emphasize resilience, networking, and staying updated with technology. Through the speaker’s words students gained clarity on the process of converting ideas into impactful solutions. Ideas were given by the speaker to problem solving techniques, teamwork, and communication skills. Projects focused on addressing issues such as water scarcity, renewable energy, and digital literacy were also given to the students. The challenges in entrepreneurship like, limited time, need for more advanced technologies were also suggested. The speaker recommended to conduct workshops for advanced training on topics like AI, IoT, and business modeling. Session came to an end with the feedback of students. The workshop was a resounding success, kindling creativity and entrepreneurial zeal among the students. This initiative not only prepares students for future challenges but also equips them with the tools to contribute meaningfully to the society. The program was coordinated by Dr. M.Vijaya Maheswari, EDC Co-Ordinator Assistant Professor, Department of MCA, Francis Xavier Engineering College.