Learning, Leading, Innovating: iLab at Himalayan Secondary School, Damak

The innovation lab (iLab) was held at Himalayan Secondary School, Damak from 10th to 15th May 2026. The program saw positive participation boasting 36 students (well above the intended 30). The students engaged in a week-long journey where they learned to be hands-on and solution oriented. Through this program EWB Nepal aimed to foster design thinking, problem solving, teamwork and presentational skills in students. Students were encouraged to discuss real-world challenges and tackle them in first principles to come up with solutions that are marketable. As a part of the initiative, EWB along with Karyashala set up an iLab makerspace within the school. The makerspace is equipped with tools, stationery materials, building supplies, and a 3D printer, allowing students to transform their ideas into tangible prototypes and leave behind an innovation and learning environment for the students.

The program began by introducing design thinking, innovation, and teaching students about collaboration. In groups students were encouraged to brainstorm problems in their communities within their respective theme. They were able to identify problems and also identify the cause and impact of the problems. As the program went on, students had understood the cause of the problems and were thinking of solutions aimed at the cause. Through team discussions and debating they iterated their solutions and were able to produce more polished ideas and presented them. They began building a minimum viable product (MVP) to show a working concept of their idea.

One of the most remarkable outcomes of the program was students converging on a solution based on local material for their problems. They were able to produce good quality prototypes with market potential using resources that were locally sourced. They were also honing their entrepreneurial thinking by looking to minimize cost and looking to position their products in a real market.

To ensure continuity of this program beyond the week-long Innovation Accelerator Program (IAP) a designated Person of Contact (POC) from the school was also closely following the program. Through observation and involvement in student activities, the POC gained understanding of the iLab process and committed to continuing the innovation by encouraging and empowering the students as they further explore and refine their ideas.

The IAP was just a beginning, a seed of innovation we planted into the students’ minds. The students will continue to innovate and refine their prototypes, they will come up with new ideas and more interesting solutions. In the iJatra planned to be held six months after the implementation, we expect to see more polished and concrete concepts.

Through this journey the students developed essential skills in innovation, teamwork, problem solving, entrepreneurship, and communication, empowering them to see themselves as capable innovators and change makers within their communities.