At Ekya NAVA, a leading choice among international schools in Bangalore, the journey of education extends far beyond textbooks and classrooms. The Friends of Ekya initiative embodies this philosophy by cultivating a vibrant community that connects students, parents, alumni, and local professionals in a collaborative effort to enhance the educational experience.  This initiative is not just about building networks; it’s about creating a supportive ecosystem where every member contributes to the growth and development of our students. By fostering relationships that transcend the school environment, Friends of Ekya enriches students’ learning journeys, helping them develop critical skills, empathy, and a sense of belonging.  In a world that thrives on connection, this initiative stands out as a powerful testament to the importance of community in shaping well-rounded individuals prepared to make a positive impact. Building Bridges: The Vision of Friends of Ekya Friends of Ekya is rooted in the belief that a strong community extends beyond school walls. By bringing together a diverse group of individuals — including parent champions, alumni, and professionals — the initiative creates a rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives. This collaborative approach is instrumental in nurturing the holistic development of students, enabling them to learn from one another and grow together. The Friends of Ekya initiative emphasises the importance of diversity and inclusivity. In an increasingly globalised world, it’s essential for students to understand and appreciate different cultures, ideas, and viewpoints. By fostering a supportive community, Ekya NAVA encourages students to engage with one another, cultivating empathy and understanding. This is especially significant in IGCSE schools in Bangalore, where students are often exposed to a variety of subjects and international perspectives. Connecting minds, strengthening community ties Through workshops, events, and collaborative projects, Friends of Ekya provides students with the opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals and community leaders. This not only enhances their educational journey but also prepares them to become active contributors to society. Enriching Educational Experiences Through Community Engagement At Ekya NAVA, the Friends of Ekya initiative plays a pivotal role in enriching students’ educational experiences. By connecting students with community members, the program opens doors to a wealth of knowledge and resources. Guest speakers, industry experts, and alumni often participate in school events, sharing their insights and experiences to inspire the next generation. One of the key aspects of Friends of Ekya is its commitment to community engagement. By involving parents and local professionals in school activities, students gain a deeper understanding of the world around them. This interaction not only broadens their horizons but also helps them develop essential life skills such as communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. Moreover, the initiative encourages service-learning projects that allow students to give back to the community. These projects foster a sense of responsibility and civic engagement, empowering students to take action in their communities. Through these experiences, students learn the value of empathy and the importance of contributing positively to society — essential qualities for future leaders. Creating Lifelong Connections One of the most valuable benefits of the Friends of Ekya initiative is the connections it fosters among students, parents, and alumni. By creating a supportive network, Ekya NAVA ensures that students have access to a wealth of knowledge and experiences throughout their educational journey and beyond. The relationships built through Friends of Ekya often extend beyond the school years. Alumni who engage with current students can provide mentorship and guidance, helping them navigate their academic and career paths. This network of support is invaluable, particularly in today’s competitive landscape. Parents, too, play a crucial role in this initiative. By participating in school events and engaging with educators and other families, they strengthen the community bond. This collaborative spirit creates an enriching environment where everyone feels valued and supported, contributing to the overall success of the students. Fostering Values for a Better Future At the heart of Friends of Ekya is the commitment to instilling values that will prepare students to thrive in an ever-changing world. By promoting diversity, inclusivity, and community engagement, the initiative ensures that students are well-equipped to contribute positively to society. Students at Ekya NAVA learn the importance of understanding and respecting different perspectives, which is vital in today’s interconnected world. This focus on values is especially important in international schools in Bangalore, where students come from diverse backgrounds and cultures. By embracing this diversity, students develop the empathy and knowledge needed to navigate complex social dynamics and become compassionate leaders in their communities. Furthermore, the Friends of Ekya initiative reinforces the notion that education is a collaborative endeavor. By working together as a community, students, parents, and educators create an environment that fosters growth and learning. This holistic approach to education not only enhances academic performance but also nurtures well-rounded individuals who are prepared to face the challenges of the future. Conclusion: A Vision for a Supportive School Community In conclusion, the Friends of Ekya initiative exemplifies the commitment of Ekya NAVA to fostering a supportive and enriching school community. By uniting parents, alumni, and community members, the program enhances the educational experience for students, preparing them to become empathetic and informed citizens. As one of the leading international schools in Bangalore, Ekya NAVA is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where every student can thrive. Through the Friends of Ekya initiative, students not only gain access to valuable resources and mentorship but also develop the values and skills necessary to contribute positively to society. This strong sense of community stands as a testament to the school’s mission, ensuring that the future leaders of tomorrow are nurtured in a supportive and empowering environment.

“What’s the Plan for This Weekend?” How many times have you heard this question from your child, or even asked it yourself? Weekends are a precious opportunity to step away from the usual hustle of work, school, and errands, and focus on what truly matters—spending quality time together. But let’s be honest: coming up with meaningful, fun activities that don’t require elaborate planning or spending a fortune can sometimes feel overwhelming. The truth is, you don’t need an extravagant plan to strengthen your bond with your child. It’s the little, intentional moments that leave the deepest impact—whether it’s giggling together over a silly game, working as a team to bake cookies, or simply exploring the world around you. Weekend Activities to Strengthen Parent-Child Relationships Let’s dive into some simple, creative, and engaging weekend activities that will leave you and your child closer than ever. 1. Turn Your Kitchen into a Makeshift Cooking Show Cooking together is an activity that’s as fun as it is rewarding. Let your child pick a recipe for the weekend—something simple like pancakes, pizza, or cookies—and work together to prepare it. Take turns mixing, kneading, or decorating, and let your child take the lead where possible. To make it even more exciting, turn it into a mini cooking show. Pretend you’re celebrity chefs narrating the process, or even record a short video for fun. Why it works: Cooking teaches teamwork and responsibility while encouraging creativity. Plus, it ends with a delicious treat that everyone can enjoy! Pro tip: Don’t worry about the mess—embrace it as part of the fun. 2. Go on an Adventure—Right in Your Neighborhood You don’t need to travel far to have an adventure. Explore your neighborhood with new eyes by turning a simple walk into a scavenger hunt. Create a list of things to find, like a red flower, a bird’s nest, or a unique-shaped rock. Alternatively, visit a nearby park and let your child take the lead. Climb trees, collect leaves, or lie on the grass and make shapes out of the clouds. Why it works: Nature has a calming effect on both kids and adults, and spending time outdoors fosters curiosity and mindfulness. Interactive idea: Bring along a notebook for your child to sketch or write about their discoveries. 3. Build Something Together Whether it’s a blanket fort in the living room, a LEGO masterpiece, or a simple birdhouse, building something together is an excellent way to bond. If you’re indoors, gather pillows, blankets, and chairs to create a cozy fort where you can read books, tell stories, or even watch a movie. Build something with your kids If you’re feeling adventurous, try building something outdoors—like a small garden patch or even a simple obstacle course in the backyard using household items. Why it works: Working together to create something fosters teamwork and gives a sense of accomplishment. Pro tip: Let your child’s imagination take the lead—sometimes, their wild ideas make for the best creations. 4. Unplug and Have a Family Game Marathon Turn off the TV, put away the phones, and spend an afternoon playing board games or card games. Classics like Uno, Ludo, or Snakes and Ladders are always a hit, but you can also try cooperative games like Jenga or Charades. For an added twist, create your own family trivia game, with questions about each other’s interests, favorite moments, or funny family memories. Why it works: Games bring in laughter, teamwork, and a little friendly competition, all while creating shared memories. Pro tip: Celebrate wins with small rewards or funny titles like “Game Champion of the Day.” 5. Dive into a Storytelling Adventure Storytelling is a wonderful way to connect with your child’s imagination. Instead of just reading a book, make it interactive. Take turns building a story, with each of you adding a few sentences. For example, your child might start with, “There was a tiger in the jungle…” and you could add, “…who wanted to learn how to fly!” If storytelling isn’t your thing, you can still share stories from your childhood. Kids love hearing about what their parents were like when they were younger—especially the funny or mischievous moments! Why it works: Storytelling sparks creativity, strengthens communication skills, and brings parents and children closer through shared laughter and ideas. Interactive idea: Write or draw the story together as you go, creating your very own book. 6. Create Your Own Mini Adventure Day Transform your home into an adventure zone by creating mini-challenges for you and your child to complete together. For example: Set up an indoor treasure hunt with clues leading to hidden surprises. Turn the living room into a mini obstacle course using pillows, chairs, and blankets. Have a 5-minute “dance-off” with your favorite music. Why it works: These small adventures are easy to set up, encourage movement, and spark excitement. Pro tip: Let your child create some of the challenges—they’ll enjoy being in charge! 7. Learn Something New Together Weekends are the perfect time to explore a new skill or hobby as a team. Try something your child has always been curious about, like origami, simple painting techniques, or even beginner yoga. Learn something new together If you’re feeling adventurous, look up a simple DIY science experiment—like making a baking soda volcano or creating slime. Why it works: Learning something new together creates a sense of partnership and makes the process exciting for both of you. Interactive idea: Document your progress with photos or videos to look back on later. 8. Slow Down with a Themed ‘Pajama Day’ Not every weekend needs to be action-packed. Sometimes, the best bonding moments happen when you slow down and simply enjoy each other’s company. Declare a “Pajama Day” and choose a theme: Movie Marathon: Watch a series of family-friendly movies and snack on popcorn. Book Day: Read your favorite stories together or create a cozy reading nook with pillows and blankets. Spa Day: Try face masks, paint each other’s nails, or give simple massages.

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin How often do students truly connect with what they learn? At Ekya Nava, we believe that education is most impactful when it engages students in the real world. This is why our Outbound Learning Program is at the core of our efforts to create well-rounded learners. It’s not just about stepping out of classrooms but stepping into opportunities for exploration, growth, and discovery. Imagine students learning about sustainability while trekking through nature trails, understanding the intricacies of history in a museum, or gaining hands-on experience with science in interactive centers. These are the moments where learning becomes layered, meaningful, and unforgettable. At Ekya Nava, these experiences are carefully curated to help students connect classroom concepts to real-world applications, while also fostering critical life skills like teamwork, leadership, and adaptability. Let’s dive deeper into what makes the Outbound Learning Program an integral part of our educational philosophy. What Makes the Outbound Learning Program Unique? The Outbound Learning Program at Ekya Nava is built around four key themes: Experiential Learning: Students engage in hands-on activities that encourage critical thinking and problem-solving. Adventure: Activities that push students to step out of their comfort zones and build confidence. Sustainability: Promoting awareness and responsibility toward the environment. Service: Instilling a sense of empathy and responsibility through community-driven initiatives. Every trip is carefully planned and age-appropriate, ensuring that students derive maximum benefit from these experiences. From local excursions to immersive multi-day adventures, these trips offer students a chance to explore, discover, and grow. Highlights of Ekya Nava’s Outbound Trips Over the years, the Outbound Learning Program has taken students on incredible journeys, each designed to enrich their understanding of the world and themselves. Here are a few examples of the experiences that have left a lasting impact: 1. Exploring History and Heritage Students visited the Rizwan Rezack Indian Paper Money Museum, where they explored the evolution of Indian currency through fascinating exhibits. The trip provided insights into the history and technology behind paper money, sparking curiosity about economics and history. Visit to Rizwan Rezack Indian Paper Money Museum 2. Immersive Science Experiences A visit to the Param Science Experience Center (PARSEC) allowed students to dive deeper into the world of science and technology. Through hands-on exhibits and guided learning, they gained a better understanding of scientific concepts and were encouraged to ask questions and think critically. A visit to the Param Science Experience Center (PARSEC) 3. Outdoor Adventures with Families The parent-child overnight camping experience at Rocksport Kanakapura created unforgettable memories. Parents and children bonded over outdoor adventures and fun activities, strengthening relationships while enjoying nature. The parent-child camping at Rocksport Kanakapura 4. A Journey Through Space A field trip to a planetarium took students on a journey beyond Earth, where they experienced a mesmerizing ceiling show and explored models like Chandrayaan. The science park offered hands-on experiments, sparking their curiosity about astronomy and space exploration. 5. Winter Trekking Adventures The parent-child winter trek to Biddarkatta was an adventurous experience that combined physical fitness and family bonding. Participants trekked through beautiful landscapes and learned about teamwork, resilience, and the great outdoors. The Impact of Outbound Learning The value of outbound learning goes far beyond the trips themselves. These experiences play a key role in shaping students’ academic and personal growth. Building Confidence: Stepping into new environments and taking on challenges helps students build self-esteem and trust in their abilities. Fostering Teamwork and Leadership: Group activities encourage collaboration, communication, and leadership skills, preparing students for future roles. Enhancing Academic Learning: Trips are designed to connect classroom concepts to real-world applications, making learning more engaging and memorable. Encouraging Curiosity: Exploring new places and ideas inspires students to ask questions, seek answers, and embrace lifelong learning. Promoting Sustainability and Responsibility: Activities like nature treks and environmental projects encourage students to appreciate and care for the planet. Transforming Education Through Exploration At Ekya Nava, we see the world as the ultimate classroom. The Outbound Learning Program is a testament to our belief in offering students experiences that empower them to discover, learn, and grow. Through these carefully curated trips, students don’t just connect classroom concepts to the real world—they discover themselves, their passions, and the endless possibilities around them. As one of the leading schools in Bangalore, Ekya Nava is committed to redefining education by providing enriching opportunities that go beyond traditional methods. If you’re looking for a school that values experiential learning and holistic development, Ekya Nava is where the journey begins. Let’s inspire the next generation of learners to explore, engage, and excel in every walk of life.

Have you ever paused, mid-task, to wonder why we cling to conventional problem-solving methods in a world that’s evolving faster than ever? It’s a bit like relying on a paper map in the age of digital navigation—a comforting habit, perhaps, but hardly efficient. This is where Design Thinking comes into play, acting as a compass for innovation in the rapidly changing landscapes we navigate daily. Forgoing the creating more approach; Design Thinking focuses on creating with intention. It’s a philosophy that doesn’t start from the assumption that we already have all the answers. Instead, it invites curiosity, encourages a deep dive into the human experience, and advocates for solutions that are both effective and meaningful. In essence, it asks us to shift our perspective—away from the what and towards the why and the who. In this exploration, we’re peeling back the layers of Design Thinking to reveal its core: a blend of empathy, creativity, and strategy that challenges us to rethink how we approach not just design, but problem-solving at large. What is Design Thinking? You’ve likely navigated through countless problem-solving methods, each promising to be the key to unlocking innovation. Yet, how often do we pause and question their effectiveness in the real, complicated world we’re trying to improve? This brings us to Design Thinking, a concept that steps out from the shadows of conventional methods, challenging us to rethink the way we approach problems. At the heart of Design Thinking lies a simple yet profound truth: understanding. It’s about getting to the core of people’s needs, desires, and experiences. But it doesn’t stop there. This approach intertwines creativity with practicality, weaving through disciplines and mindsets to find solutions that are not just novel, but truly necessary. Significance of Design Thinking Design Thinking asks us to shift our gaze from the immediate and convenient to the impactful and meaningful. It’s about building bridges between what is and what could be, guided by the stories, needs, and lives of those we’re designing for. The Process of Design Thinking Here are the 5 key steps involved in creating real-life solutions using design thinking: Empathise: The journey into Design Thinking commences with empathy, akin to an explorer gathering insights from uncharted territories. For instance, a health app developer shadowing doctors in a bustling clinic, observing their challenges and interactions with patients firsthand. This immersive exploration is about understanding the nuanced needs and pains of those we’re designing for, setting the stage for meaningful innovation. Define: With a wealth of observational data, the next step is to distill this into a precise definition of the problem. It’s similar to an author outlining the central conflict of a novel. For instance, the health app team might identify the crucial challenge as “streamlining patient data entry to maximize face-to-face consultation time.” This phase sharpens our focus, ensuring we aim our creative efforts where they can make the most difference. The steps of design thinking Ideate: Now, it’s time to brainstorm solutions, where quantity trumps quality, and every idea is welcomed. Think of a room filled with post-it notes, each one representing a potential solution, from the wildly imaginative to the straightforward fixes. It’s a phase reminiscent of a brainstorming session for an advertising campaign, where no idea is too out there, encouraging a divergence of thought that fosters true innovation. Prototype: With a trove of ideas at our disposal, we select the most promising and start building prototypes. Like a tech startup creating a basic version of a new social platform feature to see how users interact with it. This stage is about experimentation and tangibility, transforming abstract ideas into concrete, testable forms. It’s a hands-on phase where the goal is to learn through making. Test: The final stage is testing, where prototypes are exposed to real-world scenarios and users. Feedback collected here is gold, offering direct insights into how well the solutions meet the user’s needs and what adjustments are necessary. It could be likened to a chef hosting a tasting menu before finalising a restaurant’s new dishes, where each critique is an opportunity to refine and perfect. The Iterative Loop Crucially, the Design Thinking process is inherently iterative. Insights from testing can loop us back to any previous stage, armed with new understandings that demand we re-think, re-define, or re-ideate. It’s a dynamic process that resembles the development cycle of a software product, constantly evolving in response to user feedback and technological advancements. The Origins and Evolution of Design Thinking The story of Design Thinking begins in the intellectual climate of the 1960s, a period ripe for the birth of innovative concepts. This era saw the convergence of minds seeking to understand not just the ‘how’ but the ‘why’ behind design. A Spark in the 60s Herbert Simon stands as a pioneering figure during these formative years. His insights laid the groundwork, viewing design not just as an artistic endeavour but as a complex, structured process aimed at solving problems. Simon introduced the world to the idea that the essence of design lies in the thoughtful consideration of human needs and experiences. The Role of Visionaries and Institutions Fast forward to the late 20th century, and we witness the rise of IDEO and the Stanford d.school, institutions that took Simon’s foundational ideas and propelled them into the mainstream. IDEO, with its human-centered approach, transformed Design Thinking into a universally accessible methodology. Concurrently, the d.school at Stanford became a hub of interdisciplinary collaboration, educating generations in the art and science of Design Thinking. IDEO’s Influence Under IDEO’s stewardship, Design Thinking evolved from a niche concept to a global movement. They crafted a language and a process for Design Thinking that demystified design for professionals across industries, emphasizing the importance of empathy, prototyping, and iteration. Stanford’s Contribution The d.school’s inception in 2004 marked a pivotal moment in Design Thinking’s journey. Founded by David Kelley, the institution became a crucible for innovation, melding diverse disciplines and fostering an environment where students and professionals alike could