CMR Jnanadhara Trust and Ekya Schools Announce India’s First Learning Festival to Empower K-12 Education, FIND Festival 2024

Bangalore  – Ekya Schools is thrilled to present the FIND Festival 2024, India’s first-ever dedicated K-12 learning festival, designed to foster transformative and forward-thinking approaches to education. During the event Ekya Nava, set to be inaugurated on 17th November 2024 by Shri Madhu Bangarappa, Education Minister, Government of Karnataka and a Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, will introduce a new category in K-12 education: purpose-driven schools. These schools are designed to foster a problem-solving mindset through experiential learning, equipping students to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

The 2024 FIND Festival is being held at the Ekya Nava in Panathur, Bengaluru on Sunday, November 17, 2024, from 10 AM onwards. It will feature an exceptional lineup of thought leaders and industry experts that include, Vikram Vaidyanathan, Managing Director of Z47, who will moderate discussions; Phanindra Sama, Founder of redBus and Start-Up Advisor; Lizzie Chapman, Founder of ZestMoney and serial entrepreneur; Miten Sampat, angel investor and key player in building CRED; Nitin Sharma, Co-Head of Antler India and Global Web3 Lead and Deepak Cheenath, Co-founder of Quizizz Inc, all of whom will bring valuable perspectives on educational technology and its impact on learning.

FIND Festival is designed to foster a dynamic environment of creativity, critical thinking, and practical skills, featuring a lineup of engaging sessions and hands-on workshops that bring education to life. The festival will include,

• Panel Discussions on topics including Artificial Intelligence and the Future Workforce, The Ultimate Hustle: From Play Dates to Pitch Decks, and The Future of Learning: Student Perspectives on AI, Wellbeing, and Expectations from Adults.
• Workshops covering immersive and relevant topics such as The AI Edvantage, Demystifying Data Decisions in a Classroom, Game-Based Learning, New Age Parenting, and creative approaches to well-being and emotional intelligence.
• Design Thinking Challenge: Participants work collaboratively in teams to tackle real-world problems, encouraging creativity and problem-solving skills among students and educators alike.
• Learning Area Showcase: An exhibition space where students and educators can display projects, ideas, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
• Human Library: A unique storytelling platform where attendees can hear personal journeys and experiences shared by individuals, promoting empathy and connection within the community.

Speaking about the festival Dr. Tristha Ramamurthy, Founder of Ekya Schools said “At the 2024 FIND Festival, we’re bringing together the brightest minds to explore how innovation, creativity, and technology are transforming education. This year’s event is an opportunity to engage with thought leaders, spark critical conversations, and empower the next generation of learners and educators to thrive in an ever-evolving world.”

The event will also witness the launch of the book “Prompting the Future- AI for Transformative Teaching” by the Ekya Professional Development Institute, which provides hands-on tools for teachers to navigate complexities of AI.

Building on the remarkable impact of the Ekya FIND Festival 2023, which brought education stakeholders together in an unprecedented celebration of innovative learning, the upcoming edition of FIND Festival promises to further elevate the K-12 educational experience.

The 2023 festival was honored by distinguished speakers and education leaders, including Shri. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Honourable Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & Information Technology, who delivered a keynote on the transformative power of education in shaping India’s future. Dr. K. P. Gopalkrishna, Founder and Chairman of National Public Schools, also shared insights on inspiring the next generation of educators.