Earth day 2025
Our Power, Our Planet
DAIS/NMAJS/EYC celebrated Earth Week from the 21st to the 28th of April in alignment with the UN Earth Day theme which is "Our Power, Our Planet." This year's focus underscored the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions, emphasizing the global objective of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030. In response, student volunteer teams from Grades 6 to 11 curated a series of interactive, age-appropriate experiences that simplified environmental concepts such as renewable energy, fossil fuel dependency and energy conservation into accessible and engaging formats for all grade levels.
The programs were aimed at building awareness about renewable and non-renewable energy sources as well as to educate our students about how to use power/fuel/energy responsibly. The program also encouraged students to come up with innovative solutions that are relevant to the current power and energy situation and consider renewable energy sources for the future.
Awareness Building Sessions at DAIS:
Round Square student volunteers at DAIS spearheaded a series of dynamic, hands-on activities aimed to raise awareness about renewable energy and the critical need for a clean transition from fossil fuels. For the Primary Years Programme (Grades 1-5), the focus was on introducing the concept of renewable energy and encouraging personal green initiatives in a fun and accessible way.
Grades 1-2 participated in an Earth Day Puppet Show, where student volunteers performed an engaging skit using colourful puppets to portray eco-friendly habits in daily life. This was followed by a lively discussion on how even the youngest among us can help the Earth. The Round Square discovery hero, Sustainable Suki, was introduced to the students with narratives of how Suki is out to help create a balance for Mother Earth.
Grades 3-6 watched videos related to 'where energy comes from', 'how to consume less energy', 'how to move to a sustainable lifestyle', aligned with the theme "Our Power, Our Planet" and engaged in an interactive Jeopardy-style quiz game to deepen their understanding of sustainable practices and renewable resources.
For the Middle Years Programme, Grades 6-8, the focus shifted towards a deeper understanding of the global energy crisis and brainstorming practical solutions. Students watched a thought-provoking video highlighting the urgency of environmental action, discussed major challenges and innovations, and competed in a more advanced Jeopardy game, stimulating critical thinking and collaboration.
For the Senior School, Grades 9-10 the sessions emphasized analysing and implementing renewable energy solutions on a global and local scale. Students explored case studies, discussed policy implications, and reflected on how individual and collective action can drive systemic change. The emphasis was on turning knowledge into tangible impact, aligning with the UN's Earth Day theme. Together, these initiatives across DAIS/NMAJS and the EYC campuses worked to cultivate a sense of responsibility, empathy, and action-oriented thinking nurturing a generation ready to lead the future of sustainability.
Earth Day Awareness at Early Years Campus:
As part of a Student Led Service initiative, a group of sixth and seventh graders at NMAJS campus organised a special module for Nursery and UKG students. The purpose was to educate young students on the importance of saving energy and using clean sources electricity, like the sun, wind and water, by presenting this information through an engaging and age-appropriate method. To prepare for the event, the student-volunteer team collaborated to develop a puppet show called "Captain Green and the Power of Nature," based on the theme "Our Power, Our Planet."
Following the puppet show, a short video on energy conservation was shown. The most memorable moment came when the young students, inspired by the performance and their newfound knowledge staged their own impromptu puppet show using the same props. They remembered some lines from the original script and showcased their learning and understanding of the message through their own creativity.
This response taught the students that the most impactful lessons can be taught through the means of playful, interactive learning. It also underscored how even the youngest students can absorb important concepts when given the opportunity and resources. The project reinforced the importance and impact of teaching through fun and creativity and revealed the children's capability and eagerness to participate when empowered with the knowledge to do so.
Jeopardy Game on Sustainability:
A customized Jeopardy game was designed for the 5th graders, focusing on topics related to environmental science and sustainability. The game included categories like wildlife, recycling, energy sources, and young environmental activists. This interactive format was effective in reinforcing knowledge while keeping the students engaged and entertained.
Earth Day Skit:
On Monday 21st April 2025, a group of Grade 7AB and Grade 8AB students came together to deliver a powerful performance in an assembly for PYP, MYP & IGCSE. The centrepiece of this event was a skit titled "What if the Planet Could Vote?", which brought this year's theme of "Our Power, Our Planet" to life in a way that was creative, thought-provoking, and deeply moving. The assembly began with a sombre tone, transporting the audience into the year 2050, a world where Nature stands in judgment of humanity. Does humanity deserve to lead or to listen?
Through dramatic monologues, live music, and dance, the play vividly showcased the urgent challenges that our planet faces due to pollution, deforestation, and climate change. Each element, represented by Grade 7 student performers powerfully voiced their pain and hopes, leaving a profound impact on the audience. The nature elements expressed their wishes and suffering, the youth activists demanded action, fighting against the industrial representative.
A team of over 30 student volunteers worked tirelessly during breaks to combine their talents to add live musical scenes, including covers of songs and an original piece titled “Our Planet Cries”, which was written by Kalol Bannerjee and Ronit Chatterjee. These musical and dance performances reinforced the message of both the destruction caused by human actions and the possibility of renewal and recovery if corrective steps are taken. This play's main impact and aim was to raise awareness about the current environmental crisis, inspire and empower students to recognize their role as changemakers, and bring this year's Earth Day theme to life with creativity, emotion, and a call to action. It was overall a resounding success, and served as a powerful call for responsibility, action, and hope.
Sustainable Innovation Challenge:
On 26th April, DAIS and NMAJS Round Square launched the second edition of the Sustainable Innovation Challenge as a culmination of the DAIS Earth Week Celebrations centred innovation and technology as solutions towards sustainability. The aim of the challenge was to encourage students to think critically about local environmental problems and innovate tech driven solutions. Over 100 students participated in the challenge, including teams from DAIS/NMAJS and 6 delegations from schools in Mumbai and Jaipur.
The competition saw many impactful and innovative ideas and solutions involving biomimicry, algal utilisation and robotics being developed and pitched to solve local environmental problems from urban flooding to climate change being pitched creatively.
To judge their presentations, 3 judges were invited to the school.
Ms. Parul Sindhwad, a cybersecurity researcher with experience specializing in information security, vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, malware analysis, reverse engineering, and exploit development. Ms. Vani Narayan, the Business Development Head- Mumbai Operations - reCharkha EcoSocial Pvt. Ltd and, Mr. Stalin Dayanand, a passionate environmentalist affiliated with the Mumbai based environmental NGO - Vanashakti. The judges were enthusiastically engaging with the participants, asking thought provoking questions and providing invaluable feedback.
The event began with an initial address from the School Round Square Coordinator- Ms. Manisha Nanda. Following this, the founder and President of the Sustainable Innovation Challenge introduced the event and its purpose of allowing students to solve environmental problems. Following this, each team pitched their solution to the panel.
Participating schools included Jamnabai Narsee International School, Singapore International School, Prabhavati Padamshi Soni International Junior College, Sanskar School (online presentation), Utpal Shanghvi Global School and the Tilak Public School, Nehrul all shared unique and provoking solutions.
Excerpts of the innovative ideas presented at SIC:
JUNIOR CATEGORY:
Best Innovative Solution (1st place)
Team ZeroPlastic NMAJS (Siddhart Nayak, Ahaan Chhaparwal and Vivaan Gupta)
Developed a solution to detect microplastics in food and water using microscopy concepts
Honourable Mention (2nd place) was a tie between two Teams
Trigen NMAJS (Shaurya Sule, Vaishnav Gupta, Arsh Begani, Arham Shah and Zeus Wadia)
A sensor-based solution to support schools in affordably implementing adaptive renewable energy like solar, hydro and piezoelectric
Cooling Catalysts NMAJS (Parshwa Khokhani, Ritvik Sikaria and Yannick Lokur)
A magnetism-based solution to make supercomputer cooling more energy efficient.
Honourable Mention (3rd place)
Team EcoThrive from NMAJS (Nivaan Sheth, Ilaan Kapadia and Vivaan Parekh)
A product solution to reduce paper waste in schools with a solar powered backpack
SENIOR CATEGORY
Honourable Mention (2nd place)
Ohmward Bound from DAIS (Neil Gaur, Neil Aarya and Kaavya Mangal)
A decentralised algae infused vent panels reimagining glass walls to purify air and generate clean power.
Honourable Mention (3rd place) was a tie between two teams
Light Sync Solaris from Tilak Public School (Aditya Mohite, Asfiuddin Sayed, Rida Inamdar and Shiv Ranjan)
Improved solar panels which actively track the sun for improved energy generation
Terra Builders from DAIS (Sanyu Pipalia, Jashith Narang and Nipun Shah)
A website developed to track carbon footprint, inspire students and generate awareness by gamifying sustainability
To conclude the event, each judge addressed the participants, leaving them with words of encouragement and inspiration. Ms. Pratima Sridhar then thanked the judges for their presence and shared her reflections on the day. Dr. Brian Chanen expressed his thoughts and appreciation for the event.
Powerful Performance. Lasting Impact.
Our Round Square Committee marked Earth Day with a thought-provoking and creative assembly that truly resonated with all. Through engaging storytelling, vivid performances, and a clear call for sustainable living, students brought the spirit of Earth Day to life. The message to care for our planet wasn't just heard, it was felt. From the youngest learners to the oldest, every student was drawn into the experience, leaving with a renewed sense of responsibility and awareness. A big shoutout to our talented performers for inspiring change, one act at a time.