Jodhamal School recently hosted ICARUS’24, a groundbreaking Drone War Competition aimed at fostering a culture of engineering and scientific innovation at the school level. This event marked the first-ever Drone Challenge organized by a school in the country, showcasing the students’ prowess in technology and problem-solving skills.
A total of 33 students participated in the competition, forming six teams named Team Ajax, Team Udaan, Team Matrix, Team Aeroflight, Team Pawanputra, and Team Aeolus. The event featured multiple technical rounds, including PIT Display, Knockout Races, Drone Presentations, Reaction Races, and more, showcasing the students’ expertise in assembling and maneuvering drones within the school’s premises.
Jodhamal School is renowned for its emphasis on innovation and robust STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. The school’s Innovation Hub has seen remarkable achievements, with students securing British and Indian patents for their innovative ideas and prototypes. Notably, one student has been honored with the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Bal Puruskar by the Prime Minister of India. These budding scientists have also received recognition from NASA, ISRO, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA), and Caltech (California Institute of Technology, USA) for their commitment to scientific pursuits.
Nandan Kuthiala, Trustee of the School, emphasized the school’s focus on technology as a cornerstone of its progressive vision, providing students with ample opportunities to explore and experiment.
Mrs. Arati Kuthiala, Director of the school, commended the students for their outstanding performance in the competition.
Girish Kumar, Principal of Jodhamal School, highlighted that ICARUS’24 provided students with a comprehensive platform to not only delve into scientific technology but also manage budgets, seek sponsorships, design merchandise, and pitch their products.
The project, from manufacturing to maneuvering drones, offered students exposure to chip-level designing and coding.
The incorporation of drones into the curriculum signifies a significant leap forward in preparing future scientists for the complexities of modern technology.
The winners of ICARUS’24 were Team Udaan, recognized as the Overall Winners, with Team Aeolus securing victory in the Knockout Race event, Team Pawanputra excelling in Team Identity, Team Ajax leading in Pit Display, and Team Matrix standing out in Project Management. Team Aeroflight received verbal appreciation for their performance.
The event featured distinguished guests, including Mr. Yashraj, CEO of STEMplify, and a panel of esteemed judges, namely Dr. Rajkumar Velu from IIT Jammu, Ayush Sharma from IIT Jammu, Kirti Mathuria from IIT Jammu, and Ankit Dubey, an esteemed mentor from IIT Jammu.
The successful execution of ICARUS’24 was attributed to Neetu Johri, Headmistress of Jodhamal School, and her dedicated team, who ensured the event›s success and impact on nurturing young talent in the field of technology and innovation.