STEAM Week 2024: A Celebration of Innovation and Learning
From 12th to 18th November 2024, Shiv Nadar School Faridabad hosted STEAM Week, an engaging platform for students to explore the exciting fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). The week showcased creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration through a series of hands-on activities and events, inspiring students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world challenges.
Key Highlights of STEAM Week
1. Design Challenge (12th November 2024)
Students from Grades 6 to 8 participated in classroom-based engineering challenges, demonstrating innovation and problem-solving:
- Grade 6: Catapult Design Challenge
- Grade 7: Space Lander Mission
- Grade 8: Mini Roller Coaster Design
The activity provided a fun and challenging way for students to apply engineering principles while fostering teamwork and creativity.
2. Inter-House STEAM Quiz (13th November 2024)
This student-led event brought together participants from Grades 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11 for an exhilarating competition held at WCH. The quiz featured four rounds:
- MCQs
- Picture Round
- Jeopardy
- Rapid Fire
With challenging questions that engaged both participants and the audience, Tiger House claimed victory, while Lion House finished as the first runner-up. The event highlighted teamwork, quick thinking, and a deep understanding of STEAM concepts.
3. STEAM Fair (14th November 2024)
The STEAM Fair showcased the creativity and hard work of middle and senior school students. It featured:
- Innovative projects and models
- PowerPoint presentations
- Skits
Parents attended the fair, sharing positive feedback that boosted students’ confidence and motivation. The event underscored the importance of blending creativity with problem-solving across STEAM disciplines.
4. Interactive Session by Ms. Divya Chandran (18th November 2024)
Ms. Divya Chandran, Assistant Professor at the Regional Centre of Biotechnology, captivated middle school students with an insightful session. Key topics included:
- Contributions of famous scientists.
- Her research on plant-microorganism interactions, including the role of beneficial bacteria in antibiotics, probiotics, and nitrogen fixation.
- A simplified explanation of vaccines, with a focus on COVID-19.
The session concluded with a lively Q&A, where Ms. Chandran encouraged students to stay curious and persistent in their pursuit of knowledge.
Outcome
STEAM Week 2024 successfully demonstrated the integration of creativity and learning, providing students with opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge to practical challenges. From designing innovative models to gaining inspiration from experts, the week instilled curiosity and confidence among students, motivating them to explore careers in STEAM fields.
Shiv Nadar School Faridabad takes pride in nurturing young minds to think critically and innovate boldly, making STEAM Week a stepping stone toward brighter futures.
Empowering Learning Through Innovation: Insights from the Apple Educators' Workshop in Kuala Lumpur
Shiv Nadar School Faridabad, proudly recognized as an Apple Distinguished School, had the privilege of participating in an enriching two-day workshop hosted by Apple Distinguished Educators, in collaboration with Apple and the International School of Kuala Lumpur. The event focused on leveraging cutting-edge technology to redefine teaching, learning, and leadership practices, aligning with our commitment to innovative and future-ready education.
Day 1 Highlights:
The keynote by Dr. Sabba Quidwai, "The AI Advantage," highlighted the transformative role of AI in education. Dr. Quidwai emphasized cultivating an "AI Mindset" to scale, innovate, and design impactful learning experiences. Her talk introduced techniques like SPARK and WISE, underscoring AI's potential in fostering creativity and collaboration.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Helmi Norman’s session explored the synergy between human and artificial intelligence, inspiring educators to reimagine teaching practices and integrate AI meaningfully into their pedagogy.
Workshops Highlights:
Participants engaged in diverse sessions, including using Augmented Reality (AR) to celebrate Malaysian Batik art, fostering EdTech brilliance through Apple Teacher Certification, and exploring digital learning via coding and makerspaces. These workshops provided hands-on experience with AR tools like Reality Composer and innovative strategies to integrate technology seamlessly into classrooms.
Day 2 Highlights:
The workshops delved into advanced themes, such as AI in school leadership frameworks, enabling data-driven decisions and streamlined operations. The session on portfolio-based assessments offered tools for showcasing student creativity and process-oriented work. The innovative Universal Design for Learning with Numbers session focused on engaging diverse learners using interactive and visually appealing tools.
This experience enriched our educators with actionable strategies to integrate technology, celebrate cultural heritage, and create inclusive learning environments. As an Apple Distinguished School, Shiv Nadar School reaffirms its commitment to nurturing future-ready learners and fostering innovation in education.
Mental Health Week 2024: Fostering Resilience and Compassion at Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad
Mental Health Week 2024 at Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad, was an inspiring celebration of resilience, solidarity, and mental well-being. This year’s theme, Invisible Battles, Visible Support, underscored the importance of recognizing and supporting mental health across our community. Held from September 23-26 for Early to Middle Years students and October 15-17 for Senior Years, the week actively engaged students, staff, and families, empowering everyone to stand together with hope and resilience.
The activities during the week were diverse and impactful, engaging students across all age groups in meaningful ways. Early and Middle Years students participated in a Reading Walk in the North Block, featuring The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, a story that invited them into a reflective space of empathy and self-awareness. Middle schoolers further contributed with an uplifting speech, “You Are Not Alone,” a reminder of the strength found in community support. Senior Years students powerfully conveyed the week’s theme through a theatre performance that explored resilience and the courage to persevere, illustrating the strength that lies within creative expression.
A highlight of the week was the October 19th session for parents and grandparents with experts from Accord Hospital. Dr. Megha Sharda provided insights into neurodevelopment in children, Dr. Tausif Iqbal discussed the mental health impacts of screen time, and Dr. Simran Malik shared practical strategies for building emotional resilience in parenting. This session fostered a valuable dialogue on creating supportive environments for mental wellness at home and school.
For teachers, a peaceful forest bathing experience offered a moment of mindfulness, while young students enjoyed captivating storytelling sessions emphasizing kindness, courage, and resilience. Across all grades, activities like circle discussions, a poster-making competition, and hands-on projects inspired students to express their thoughts on mental health creatively.
Affirmation stickers, Psychological First Aid brochures, and educational videos further supported our mission of cultivating a healing, compassionate environment at Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad. Together, our community continues to embody the message of Invisible Battles, Visible Support, inspiring all to approach mental health with empathy, understanding, and resilience.
A Glimpse: https://youtu.be/UJd9Rpg1L6A
Shiv Nadar School Excels in the Neev Literature Reading Challenge Finals
We are proud to share the outstanding results of our students in the Neev Literature Reading Challenge Finals! Held at the Neev Academy in Bangalore as part of the Literature Festival, our young reading champions demonstrated their remarkable skills and dedication, securing top honors among some of the brightest young minds in the country.
Celebrating Our Champions
3rd Place - Team ‘Impossible Humans’
- Paarth Gupta (Grade 5)
- Vidit Arora (Grade 5)
- Pakhi Goel (Grade 4)
4th Place - Team ‘The Unexpected’
- Ritanya Pal (Grade 5)
- Anaya Dhull (Grade 5)
- Mayra Aggarwal (Grade 4)
Both teams exhibited exceptional reading prowess, perseverance, and teamwork, making it to the final rounds after reading 30 books over the course of three months. Their achievements in this highly competitive national event are a testament to their hard work and the school’s unwavering commitment to fostering a love for reading and intellectual growth.
At Shiv Nadar School, reading is the bedrock of our educational philosophy, laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning, curiosity, and personal growth. We congratulate our talented students on their fantastic achievements and thank their teachers and parents for their support. Their success is not only a personal victory but also a reflection of the collective spirit of our school. As we continue to nurture young minds, we look forward to many more such achievements in the future.
Let’s celebrate the success of our young readers and continue to encourage the joy of reading!
Shiv Nadar School Faridabad Recognized as an Apple Distinguished School
We are thrilled to announce that Shiv Nadar School Faridabad has earned the prestigious distinction of being recognized as an Apple Distinguished School, placing it among the top 5 such schools in India, and the only one in the NCR region.
This recognition highlights our seven-year journey towards integrating technology into everyday learning. Our 1:1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program is a cornerstone of our commitment to personalizing education, creating secure digital environments, and fostering differentiation and diversity in the learning process.
With the support of a robust Apple ecosystem, our students benefit from personalized learning, enabling each child to learn at their own pace. The use of Apple tools empowers students to demystify complex concepts, express their ideas creatively, and represent their knowledge through diverse models of learning. This focus on technology-enhanced education complements the core of the Shiv Nadar School philosophy — the central role of the human teacher in guiding and nurturing young minds.
We are proud to have five Apple Distinguished Educators and over 75 Apple Certified Teachers, whose expertise and dedication have played an integral role in this achievement. While the recognition from Apple is an affirmation of our efforts, the true strength of our tech-driven curriculum lies in our commitment to innovation. Our goal is to empower our students to become creators and inventors, not mere consumers of digital content.
This recognition also ensures access to cutting-edge Apple Educational Tools, further enriching our pedagogy and keeping us at the forefront of the ever-evolving educational landscape. At Shiv Nadar School, we believe that staying abreast of global changes is key to preparing our students to be the drivers of tomorrow's world.
Explore the impact of our journey as an Apple Distinguished School in this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mY3RhZl92aU
Inspiring Minds: A Captivating Session with the Authors of Why the Apple Falls at Shiv Nadar School Faridabad
On August 30, Shiv Nadar School Faridabad had the honor of hosting an enlightening session with the distinguished authors of Why the Apple Falls, Swagata Deb and Sandeepan Deb. The book, which captures the essence of Indian physicists and their profound contributions to the world of science, was presented in a manner that made the subject of Physics both interesting and accessible for students.
The session was attended by enthusiastic students from classes 9 and 10, who were deeply engaged in the discussions that unfolded. The authors began by highlighting the pioneering work of J.C. Bose, particularly his significant contributions to the field of radioactivity. The discussion also touched upon the intriguing "cat in the box" experiment by Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger, designed in 1935 to illustrate the complexities of quantum theory.
As the conversation delved deeper into quantum mechanics, the authors adeptly explained complex concepts in an approachable way, sparking curiosity and fostering a deeper understanding among the students. The authors also inspired students to consider pursuing higher studies at prestigious institutions like IIT, exploring advanced topics such as the God Particle and the Nobel Prize-winning work of Léon Lederman on the Higgs Boson, often referred to as the "goddamn particle." Additionally, they discussed the collaboration between Einstein and Satyendra Nath Bose on the Bose-Einstein theory.
The session concluded with an engaging discussion on scientific units named after renowned scientists, leaving the students inspired and eager to explore the fascinating world of physics further.
This session was not only a tribute to the brilliance of Indian physicists but also a testament to the power of storytelling in making complex scientific ideas accessible and exciting for young minds.
Fostering a Rich Reading Culture at Shiv Nadar School: A Memorable Visit by Author Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan
At Shiv Nadar School, we place a strong emphasis on cultivating a love for reading, viewing it as a gateway to imagination, empathy, and lifelong learning. This commitment was wonderfully showcased on August 6, 2024, when acclaimed author Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan visited our Junior Library for an engaging session with students from grades 4 and 5.
Ms. Srinivasan, known for her captivating storytelling, introduced our young readers to her latest work, Look Before You Leap, which explores the fascinating world of idiomatic expressions. Her session, filled with engaging anecdotes and witty explanations, brought idioms like "barking up the wrong tree" and "kick the bucket" to life, making language learning both fun and memorable.
This author visit is a reflection of our school's dedication to fostering a vibrant reading culture. By connecting students with celebrated authors and their works, we aim to inspire a lifelong love for reading. Ms. Srinivasan, who had previously charmed our students with It’s Time to Rhyme, once again left a lasting impression, reinforcing the importance of reading as a tool for growth and discovery.
Beyond her literary achievements, Ms. Srinivasan is a voice-over artist, poet, and editor, with a strong commitment to advocating for individuals with disabilities. Her well-loved children’s books, such as Prince with a Paintbrush: The Story of Raja Ravi Varma and Parvati the Elephant’s Very Important Day, have earned acclaim in both India and the United States.
At Shiv Nadar School, fostering a love for reading involves more than just providing books; it’s about creating experiences that connect students with stories and authors. Ms. Srinivasan’s visit was a perfect blend of learning and entertainment, highlighting the power of stories to inspire young minds. We are grateful for the opportunity to explore the world of idioms with her and look forward to more enriching experiences that celebrate the joy of reading at our school.
Empowering Student Agency: The Journey of Student Council Elections at Shiv Nadar School
The student council elections at Shiv Nadar School Faridabad are more than just a democratic exercise; they are a powerful embodiment of student agency, where students actively participate in shaping their leadership and governance. The process is designed to not only mirror real-world electoral systems but also to cultivate leadership qualities, responsibility, and a sense of service among students.
The journey begins with the distribution of nomination forms, offering students a platform to express their interest in running for various leadership positions within the Middle and Senior Student Council. This initial step is crucial as it allows students to reflect on their capabilities and aspirations, encouraging them to take the first step toward leadership.
Following the nominations, candidates undergo a rigorous assessment process that includes group discussions and interviews with teachers and the Heads of the school. This phase is critical as it ensures that only the most dedicated and suitable candidates are shortlisted for leadership roles. The involvement of teachers and school Heads in this process emphasizes the importance of selecting leaders who not only have the vision but also the capability to contribute meaningfully to the school community.
Once the candidates are shortlisted, the campaigning phase begins. This period is a dynamic and interactive time within the school premises, with candidates engaging their peers, showcasing their ideas, and building support for their vision. Posters adorn the notice boards, and meal times become opportunities for candidates to connect with their fellow students, sharing their plans for the betterment of the school. The assembly pitches are a highlight, where nominees passionately present their visions, hoping to resonate with their audience and garner the necessary votes.
The voting process itself is a simulation of the national electoral process, providing students with a hands-on experience of voting. It instills a sense of responsibility and engagement, as students make informed choices about who will represent their interests in the council. The voting results are eagerly awaited and announced in a school assembly, adding to the excitement and sense of involvement among the student body.
The entire process culminates in the Investiture Ceremony, a formal event where the newly elected council members are conferred with badges and sashes, symbolizing their roles and responsibilities. This ceremony, held on April 30, 2024, for the Middle and Senior Student Council and on August 9, 2024, for the Junior Student Council, is a moment of pride for the school community. The newly elected members take an oath to uphold the values of Shiv Nadar School and work tirelessly for the betterment of the students. The ceremony is also a platform for school captains, sports captains, and class prefects to share their visions, further inspiring their peers.
Director Principal Mrs. Anju Wal's address during the ceremony encapsulates the essence of student leadership, reminding everyone of the importance of responsibility, service, and the power of student agency in creating a vibrant school community.
The student council elections at Shiv Nadar School are not just about choosing leaders; they are about empowering students, fostering a sense of ownership, and preparing them to be responsible citizens and leaders of tomorrow. The entire process, from nominations to the investiture, is a testament to the school’s commitment to nurturing student agency in every aspect of their journey.
Celebrating Excellence and Holistic Achievement in Middle and Senior School
The Awards Ceremony at Shiv Nadar School is a special event dedicated to appreciating and rewarding the perseverance and commitment to excellence of students who have made us all proud. It is a moment not only to recognize the young talents in our midst but also to honor the core values of our school that these awardees so beautifully exemplify. This year, the ceremony focused on the achievements of students in our Middle and Senior School, where they have demonstrated remarkable growth and dedication across various disciplines.
As Pelé once said, “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” This quote perfectly captures the spirit that drives our students at Shiv Nadar School as they progress on their journey from good to great.
The awards presented during the ceremony reflect our holistic approach to education. They recognize not only those students who have excelled academically but also those who have achieved significant success in sports, art, dance, music, and theatre. These awards celebrate the well-rounded development of our students, honoring their dedication, talent, and the values that guide them towards excellence.
The ceremony was a grand occasion, where the young stars of Shiv Nadar School were recognized for their academic triumphs, creative talents, and athletic achievements. This event was not just a recognition of their success but also a celebration of the habits of excellence that our students embody, setting them apart as the future torchbearers of the Shiv Nadar School legacy.
Empowering Global Youth: Shiv Nadar School Faridabad Hosts Sixth Edition of Model United Nations in Collaboration with Alma College
Shiv Nadar School Faridabad Hosts the Sixth Edition of Model United Nations Conference in Collaboration with Alma College, Michigan
The Sixth Edition of the Shiv Nadar School Faridabad Model United Nations (SNSFMUN) Conference, in partnership with Alma College, Michigan, provided a dynamic platform for our young delegates to engage with complex global issues, broaden their perspectives, and challenge conventional thought.
In a world increasingly defined by diversity, progress, and interconnectedness, the themes of climate change and sustainability are more critical than ever. At the SNSFMUN 2024, we fostered dialogue and critical thinking in our committees, encouraging participants to deepen their understanding of global perspectives on climate-related challenges.
Over three weeks of intensive training, culminating on July 29, 2024, our student participants honed their skills and prepared to engage meaningfully on relevant platforms. The efforts of the Secretariat were pivotal to the success of this event. Juggling diverse tasks, managing academic responsibilities, and liaising with international interns across three campuses, our students gained invaluable experience. They became proficient in website design, social media management, and decision-making under pressure.
The conference featured six committees—UNEA, UNHCR, UNCSW, WHO, and UNGA—comprising around 200 delegates from schools across Delhi NCR. Chaired by 11 interns from Alma College and senior students from Shiv Nadar School Faridabad, these committees served as vibrant hubs of debate and collaboration.
The event commenced with a captivating Kathak performance by students from the AHA Kathak basket, followed by inspiring speeches from our esteemed guests. IAS Officer Shri Sanjay Joon, Colonel Gopal Karunakaran, CEO of Shiv Nadar Schools, and keynote speaker Mr. Mozaharul Alam from UNEA highlighted the vital role of youth advocacy in shaping the future. They called upon the youth to act now to drive the change the world needs.
Throughout the conference, delegates engaged in rigorous discussions, crafting solutions to pressing global issues. The event concluded with a gala, where awards were presented amidst speeches by Professor Derick Hulme from Alma College, Michigan, and Director Principal Mrs. Anju Wal. The school choir’s mesmerizing performance added a perfect touch to the closing ceremony, and the evening's social event brought the conference to a celebratory close.
As we reflect on the immense satisfaction and gratitude felt by all who contributed to making SNSFMUN 2024 a reality, we sign off, proud of our achievements and ready to return to the academic challenges ahead.