The Change Maker Event at Vivekananda Hall, Mumbai, organized by WPU in collaboration with Priyadarshani School, brought students, educators, and community leaders together to explore ideas that drive local impact. This gathering highlighted practical ways young minds can contribute to meaningful change through innovation, empathy, and responsible action.
Designed as a hands-on learning journey, the event connected academic concepts with real-world challenges, encouraging participants to think beyond textbooks. Attendees engaged with peers and mentors while building confidence in communication, problem-solving, and civic responsibility.
| Event Name | Date | Venue | Organizing Body | Target Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change Maker Event | 15 March 2024 | Vivekananda Hall | WPU | Students, Teachers, Community Leaders |
| Partner School | Academic Year 2023-24 | Priyadarshani School | School Management | Middle and Senior School Students |
| Theme | Session Length | Focus Area | Key Outcome | Success Metric |
| Local Innovation & Social Awareness | 3 hours | Project-based activities | Increased civic engagement | Number of student-led initiatives proposed |
Project-Based Learning at the Event
Hands-On Activities
Project-based learning formed the backbone of the Change Maker Event, where students worked on real-life problems such as waste management, community health, and digital literacy. Teachers guided learners to design solutions that were feasible, ethical, and scalable within their neighborhood context.
Collaborative Teamwork
Teams were mixed across grades to encourage peer learning, with senior students mentoring juniors while refining their own leadership skills. This setup promoted inclusive participation and helped quieter students gain confidence through structured roles.
Role of Vivekananda Hall as Venue
Space and Accessibility
Vivekananda Hall provided a centrally located, accessible space with flexible seating, allowing organizers to set up multiple zones for brainstorming, prototyping, and presentations. Its open layout supported both large group discussions and small team collaborations.
Community Connectivity
The hall’s proximity to local markets and public transport increased participation from parents and community partners. Its established infrastructure ensured smooth logistics for audio-visual aids, display boards, and safety requirements.
Partnership with Priyadarshani School
Curriculum Alignment
Priyadarshani School aligned event activities with existing curriculum goals, ensuring that participants could connect project outcomes with their academic learning. Subject teachers contributed challenges related to science, social studies, and language skills.
Long-Term Engagement
The partnership enabled follow-up visits and mentorship sessions beyond the event, creating a sustained impact on teaching practices and student motivation. Feedback loops helped refine future editions of the Change Maker initiative.
Impact on Students and Teachers
Skill Development
Students improved research, critical thinking, and presentation abilities while working on projects that mattered to their community. Teachers observed increased curiosity, ownership, and cross-curricular integration among participants.
Civic Mindset
The event nurtured a sense of civic responsibility, encouraging learners to see themselves as change agents rather than passive recipients of information. Stories from the day were shared in school assemblies to inspire broader participation.
Next Steps for Changemaking in Schools
- Identify a local challenge that students care about deeply
- Form mixed-grade teams with clear roles and timelines
- Connect with mentors from WPU or community organizations
- Prototype low-cost solutions and test them in real settings
- Document outcomes and share learnings with the wider school community
FAQ
Reader questions
Who can participate in the Change Maker Event at Vivekananda Hall, WPU, and Priyadarshani School?
Participants include students and teachers from Priyadarshani School, along with invited mentors from WPU and local community partners who support project-based learning.
What are the main learning outcomes for students attending this event?
Students gain practical skills in problem identification, teamwork, prototyping, and presenting solutions, while strengthening their sense of civic responsibility.
How does the event align with the school curriculum at Priyadarshani School?
Activities are mapped to subject learning objectives, allowing students to apply concepts from science, social studies, and language arts in a hands-on, community-focused context.
What support does WPU provide to sustain impact after the event?
WPU offers mentorship sessions, resource materials, and follow-up platforms to help students and teachers continue developing and scaling their initiatives.