Innovation embedded in school curriculum through STEM activities

How is your school integrating tech in classroom learning?

Mount Carmel School, Chandigarh, has made notable advancements in incorporating technology into classroom learning, thereby preparing students for the digital era. Classrooms are equipped with smart boards, interactive learning platforms, and subject-specific software that enhance the learning experience. Teachers utilise digital tools, including presentations, educational apps and online assessments, to reinforce concepts and cater to diverse learning styles. Over the past year, the school has celebrated several cultural and extracurricular achievements, including its annual cultural festival, which showcased students' talents in music, dance, drama, and art. The school has also excelled in inter-school competitions, including debating, sports, and science exhibitions, earning accolades and fostering holistic development among its students

What are the cultural and extra-curricular highpoints of your school in the past year?

Over the past year, Mount Carmel School, Chandigarh, has celebrated numerous cultural and extracurricular highlights that showcased its students' diverse talents. The school's annual cultural festival was a grand event featuring captivating performances in dance, drama, and music, highlighting India's rich heritage and students' creative expression.

The students excelled in inter-school competitions, winning awards in debates, quiz contests, painting and poetry recitation. The school's sports teams also achieved notable success, securing top positions in basketball, cricket and other tournaments. Additionally, exhibitions and innovation fairs provided platforms for budding artists to showcase their projects. Participation in Model United Nations conferences and leadership camps helped students develop confidence, global awareness and critical thinking skills. These cultural and extracurricular activities enriched the school environment and fostered holistic growth among students.

Innovation has become an important part of school curriculum, how have you incorporated it?

Innovation is deeply embedded in Mount Carmel's curriculum through dedicated STEM activities, robotics clubs and project-based learning modules that promote creativity and problem-solving. Students are encouraged to participate in innovation fairs and design thinking workshops, where they tackle real-world challenges with original solutions. The school's long-term vision is to transform education into an experiential and student-led journey, balancing academic excellence with emotional intelligence, adaptability and global awareness. To prepare students for a tech-driven world, the school emphasises 21st-century skills, including critical thinking, collaboration, coding, digital literacy and effective communication, integrating these seamlessly through both curricular and co-curricular activities.

What skills are important for students in this tech-driven age and what steps has your school taken to instil these?

In the rapidly evolving digital era, skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, digital literacy, communication, creativity and emotional intelligence are more crucial than ever. The school actively works to instil these competencies through a future-ready curriculum. Students are introduced to coding, robotics and digital tools from an early stage, enabling them to develop essential skills. Activities such as group projects, debates, design challenges, and technology fairs help foster teamwork and innovation. Additionally, the school offers workshops on effective communication, problem-solving, and leadership, ensuring that students are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of the modern world with confidence and responsibility.

Have any mental health measures been taken to ensure holistic growth of students?

Yes, the school prioritises students' mental and emotional well-being, providing access to a qualified school counsellor for one-on-one sessions and group workshops. These sessions focus on stress management, emotional regulation and self-esteem building. The school also conducts regular mindfulness activities, wellness programmes and mental health awareness initiatives. Teachers are trained to identify signs of distress and offer support or referrals as needed. The school fosters an open and non-judgmental atmosphere, allowing students to express themselves freely and feel supported. By doing so, Mount Carmel ensures that mental health is a fundamental aspect of its holistic education approach.

Your long-term vision for transforming education?

Mount Carmel School, Chandigarh, adopts a transformative approach to education that extends beyond textbooks and exams. The school's vision is to create a learner-centric environment that fosters curiosity, creativity and character. By integrating experiential learning, real-world problem-solving and global perspectives, the school aims to produce socially responsible and emotionally intelligent individuals equipped with academic knowledge, values, critical thinking skills and adaptability to thrive in a rapidly changing world. The school's focus is on nurturing students into lifelong learners who value meaningful growth, innovation and personal development, rather than just academic achievement. By doing so, it strives to be an institution where education empowers students to make a positive impact in the world.