MUMBAI: Who says teens only use tech to scroll? At Capgemini India’s Hyderabad innovation lab, students from Birla Open Minds International School proved otherwise flying drones, building robots, and pitching AI solutions to real-world problems at full throttle. Hosted in partnership with SkillShark EduTech, Innovation Day was the grand finale of a 14-day Certified Internship Program that introduced Grades 9–12 students to emerging fields like mechatronics, AI and sensor tech. Held at Capgemini’s Applied Innovation Exchange (AIE), the event blended brainpower with bold ideas and not a textbook in sight.

Twelve standout students presented Proof of Concept (POC) projects ranging from a Disaster Response Drone and a Mental Health Monitoring Robot, to an AI-powered Time Companion App. These weren’t just science fair fluff each prototype showcased technical depth, social relevance, and a level of confidence that suggested India’s next generation of engineers may already be on the assembly line.

“At Birla Open Minds, we believe students need real tools to build real futures,” said Hyderabad school Principal Syamali Chowdhury. “Innovation Day helps them connect the dots between concepts and creation.”

For Skillshark Edutech, founder Ashhar Ahmad Shaikh the goal was simple, “Bridge the gap between education and industry. We want students to see themselves not just as learners, but as creators.”

And it worked. “In school, we only get theory. Here, we used sensors, coded AI, and designed actual tech to solve real issues,” said Ishita Adlakha, a Grade 12 student. “It made me feel like I could actually build something that matters.”

Apart from the tech wizardry, the programme also threw in lessons on mental wellness, personal finance, and mentorship reminding students that future-readiness isn’t just about algorithms, but also empathy.

With curiosity sparked, confidence boosted, and creativity flowing, this Innovation Day proved that when students are handed the tools of tomorrow they’ll build something better than just a future. They’ll build one worth living in.