In a small yet bustling classroom at New English Secondary School in Sion, a group of young innovators came together to tackle a problem that had long disrupted their learning environment. Every day, their classroom became increasingly cluttered—bags strewn across the floor, books piled up haphazardly, and scraps of paper littering the desks. Moving around became a challenge, and the lack of organisation made concentrating on lessons even harder. Determined to find a solution, Anushka Agawane, Arnav Daral, Yash Chavan, Aaradhya Shetty, and Saniya Sakpal set out to design a smart desk—one that would transform their space into a cleaner, more efficient, and student-friendly environment.
The students envisioned a desk that would not only serve as a writing surface but also incorporate smart storage solutions and waste management features. They began by identifying the key issues: cluttered desks, lack of storage for school bags, and the constant mess of pencil shavings, wrappers, and torn pages. With this in mind, they designed a desk with multiple features to keep their classroom organised. On either side of the desk, they added small compartments for students to dispose of tiny waste items. This ensured that pencil shavings and bits of paper would no longer accumulate on the desk or floor, making cleaning up much easier.
One of their most innovative additions was the bottle holder attached to the side of the desk, ensuring that water bottles were not rolling around and creating unnecessary spills. At the front of the desk, they integrated a small whiteboard, offering students a sustainable alternative to rough books that would typically be used and discarded frequently. This feature not only helped reduce paper wastage but also made jotting down quick notes more convenient. Additionally, they created a shallow hollow at the top centre of the desk, acting as a palette where students could place stationery items like erasers and sharpeners, preventing them from getting lost under piles of books.
The most impactful feature, however, was the bench itself. Recognising that school bags took up most of the space in the aisle, making movement difficult, the team designed a bench with a top-opening hatch. This allowed students to store their bags inside the bench, keeping them off the floor and creating a much neater space. Moreover, since their school operated in shifts, with younger students using the same classroom later in the day, the team proposed that the bench be made lockable. This would ensure that the senior students' belongings remained untouched, maintaining the integrity of their organisational system.
Throughout the process, the students faced several challenges. They had to ensure that the design was not only functional but also feasible for real-world implementation. Creating a desk and bench that would be suitable for different age groups required careful thought, and balancing cost-effectiveness with durability was another major consideration. They had to rethink certain aspects of the design, particularly ensuring that the structure remained sturdy despite multiple storage compartments.
Despite these challenges, the students’ dedication and creativity resulted in a prototype that showcased a smart and sustainable way to improve classroom organisation. Their project was more than just about furniture; it was about fostering a sense of responsibility among students to maintain cleanliness and order. By designing a desk that empowered each student to keep their space tidy, they had found a way to transform their everyday learning environment for the better. The Smart Desk was more than just an invention—it was a reflection of the ingenuity of young minds in developing practical and impactful solutions to everyday challenges.
MuSo and Standard Chartered helped make this project a reality with their valuable support and guidance.
