In many Mumbai ground floor households, the scurrying of rodents is a familiar yet unwelcome sound. These tiny invaders bring with them disease, destruction, and distress. They gnaw on food, contaminate kitchens, tear clothes, and even bite unsuspecting residents. The problem is not just one of inconvenience but of health and hygiene. Addressing this menace requires ingenuity, and who better to offer a fresh perspective than young minds unburdened by conventional thought?
A group of students from New English Secondary School in Sion—Amrit Choudhary, Abhay Kamite, Sambhav Bane, Swaraj Pawar, Rohit Maccha, and Tanish Anmalwar—rose to the challenge with their innovative ‘See-Saw Rat Trap’. Inspired by Pokemon, they aptly named their group, ‘Pikachu’ . Their objective was simple: to design an efficient, humane, and sustainable method to capture and remove rodents from homes to help all the families whose houses are plagued with rodents. What they devised was a marvel of practicality, inspired by the mechanics of a common dustbin lid that they saw in MuSo.
Their design was centred around a sturdy box, equipped with a ladder to entice rodents upwards. The top featured a see-saw lid, a mechanism that worked seamlessly with the rat’s own movement. As the rodent stepped onto the lid in search of food, it would tip, sending the animal tumbling into the box below. The depth of the box ensured that once inside, the rat could not climb out. To add a layer of convenience, the students incorporated a weight sensor at the base of the trap. This not only indicated the presence of a rat but also provided an estimate of how many had been caught, with the alert volume increasing as more weight accumulated. The trap was also equipped with a simple side flap, making it easy to release the captured rodents far from human habitation.
One of the most commendable aspects of the design was its sustainability. The trap was constructed from acrylic, a durable material that ensured longevity. Unlike traditional rat poisons and snap traps, which pose risks to both humans and pets, the See-Saw Rat Trap was a non-lethal, eco-friendly alternative. The device’s ease of construction meant that multiple units could be deployed across neighbourhoods, creating a widespread solution to a pervasive problem.
Despite the brilliance of their design, the students remained acutely aware of potential challenges. What if a larger animal—perhaps a cat or a hen—accidentally fell into the trap? Their solution was both practical and forward-thinking: integrating a small camera to monitor the trap’s contents in real time. This addition would enable homeowners to assess their catch and empty the trap as needed, ensuring that unintended animals were not mistakenly captured.
The See-Saw Rat Trap is more than just an invention; it is a testament to the intelligence of young minds working towards a better world. It demonstrates how observation, creativity, and problem-solving can come together to tackle real-life issues. Through their dedication, these students have not only engineered a functional device but have also sown the seeds of innovation, proving that age is no barrier to meaningful impact. Their work stands as an inspiration to all—showcasing that sometimes, the simplest ideas can be the most effective solutions.
MuSo and Standard Chartered provided essential support and guidance, playing a key role in making this project a reality.
