Innovative ideas light up Times NIE Vista ideathon

Chennai: A meter for saving electricity in households, flood-resilient houses, genetically modified plastic-eating microorganisms and an infant oxy band to monitor oxygen levels in newborns were some of the innovative ideas presented by school students at the Times NIE Vista Ideathon preliminary round conducted at Anna Centenary Library on Tuesday.
Students presented ideas related to smart irrigation systems, e-products made from decomposable materials, a voice command-based wheelchair and a sign glove robotics project.
The Times of India, in association with VIS (Vellore International School), Chennai, is organising the third edition of Times NIE Vista, an inter-school ideathon event, which aims at nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship among school students.
This year, more than 1,650 entries were received from 205 schools on enabling technology for better living and creating a sustainable future from students in Chennai, Chengalpet, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Kancheepuram, Villupuram districts and in Puducherry.
The Entrepreneurship Development and Innovation Institute, Tamil Nadu, evaluated these 1,650 ideas and shortlisted the best 50 ideas for the preliminary round. Three judges from EDII-TN Mahalakshmi M, Thangavel Puhal and Gowtham Shanmugam shortlisted the best ideas.
Based on the scores, two teams were shortlisted from Velammal Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Ponneri, and PSBB Millennium School in Gerugambakkam, Sudharsanam Vidyashram in Avadi, Sri Sankara Vidyalaya MHS School, East Tambaram, Kaligi Ranganathan Montford Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Ayanavaram, Princess Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Pulianthope, Ela Green School in Maraimalai Nagar, Zion International Public School in Mappedu and SBOA School and Junior College in Anna Nagar.