Ahmedabad emerged as a beacon for young STEM innovators as Adani International School in Shantigram organized the prestigious IRIS National Fair 2025-26 from February 6 to 8. This three-day national event, part of Cohort 2, brought together 75 student innovators from 12 states and 24 cities, alongside educators, researchers, and mentors.
The fair transformed the school into a national hub for school-level STEM research and innovation. Participants showcased groundbreaking projects, fostering collaboration and hands-on learning that bridges classroom theory with real-world applications.
At the closing ceremony, Gujarat’s Education Minister Rivaba Ravindrasinh Jadeja emphasized the critical need to integrate research and innovation from the earliest stages of education. ‘Research is no longer confined to university labs,’ she declared. ‘It begins in institutions like Adani International School. When children start asking questions young, testing ideas, and learning from failures, they build the foundation of scientific thinking. Schools must evolve from mere teaching centers to incubators of ideas and solutions.’
Namrata Adani, promoter of Adani International School and non-executive director of the Adani Group, reinforced this vision. ‘We believe curiosity must be nurtured from childhood, and learning shouldn’t be limited to textbooks,’ she said. ‘Platforms like IRIS National Fair empower students to question, experiment, and apply knowledge to real-world challenges.’
The event featured a dynamic mix of student research exhibitions, structured mentorship sessions, conferences, and public engagement activities. It kicked off with a principals’ and teachers’ conclave, where Ahmedabad school leaders discussed inquiry-based STEM teaching and experiential classroom practices.
Students presented original research through curated exhibitions, refined with expert evaluations and guidance. The closing saw prominent figures like Namrata Adani and Amit Singh, CEO of Adani Group’s international energy business, delivering inspiring addresses.
This successful fair underscores schools’ growing role as catalysts for early-stage research, collaboration, and innovation, laying the groundwork for India’s next generation of scientific thinkers. Adani International School continues to lead by blending cutting-edge technology with experiential learning, equipping students with vital life skills for a global future.