From Problems to Prototypes: The CBS Approach to Student Innovation

Some of the best ideas and innovations can come from the youngest minds, if we give them the space to dream and invent. 

At Chaman Bhartiya School, we’ve seen our young students identify real-world problems, research them thoughtfully, and build working prototypes to solve them. Whether it’s improving hygiene on trains or finding ways to reduce food waste in schools, innovation here isn’t a buzzword. It’s part of how children learn to lead. 

As one of the leading IB schools in Bangalore, we place deep emphasis on innovation as a life skill. And instead of treating it like a separate subject, we build it into everyday learning. Our students aren’t simply told to ‘think creatively’ - they’re given the tools, time, and real-world context to do it. 

The Role of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) 

At the heart of our innovation framework is Problem-Based Learning (PBL). It’s a hands-on, inquiry-led model that encourages students to look at the world around them, ask meaningful questions, and work in teams to build solutions. 

From everyday classroom activities to the annual PBL Exhibitions, we try to incorporate a problem-solving mindset in the youngest of learners to help them empathise and identify problems in the real world and solve them with purpose. 

Every year, our PBL Exhibition brings this to life. Students across grade levels work on projects aligned with real issues - from environmental conservation to energy usage and hygiene systems. They identify a challenge, explore possible solutions, create design plans, and eventually build working models or digital prototypes to present to their peers, teachers, and parents. This is a consistent focus among IB Schools in Bangalore, especially at Chaman Bhartiya School, to nurture future-ready leaders with the right skills. 

The most recent PBL showcase included some standout student-led initiatives: - Switch to Save: A behaviour-based energy-saving campaign using handmade switchboard stickers and student-led incentives. 

- Beyond the Bin: A sustainable wet waste solution created using composting techniques for schools and homes.

- Let’s Earn Our Dessert: A project combining data analysis and gamification to reduce lunch waste in the cafeteria. 

- Enter Without Worry: A model addressing railway toilet hygiene, using a mechanical flush system built by middle schoolers. 

How the IB Curriculum Supports Innovation 

At CBS, we follow the IB framework for our higher education grades, which supports inquiry, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary learning. The IB approach allows students to explore problems across subject areas - combining science, technology, language, and social studies to design solutions that are both intelligent and responsible. 

As one of the top IB schools in Bangalore, CBS uses this flexibility to encourage students to think globally while acting locally. They learn how to research independently, collaborate effectively, reflect on their work, and refine their ideas through feedback. 

And because PBL ties in naturally with the IB Learner Profile - encouraging students to be open-minded, principled, and reflective - it helps build leadership not just in skill, but in mindset. This approach sets CBS apart from many IB Schools in Bangalore, where problem-solving is often taught in isolation. Here, it’s embedded into the rhythm of school life. For us, this is one of the most crucial skills a young mind can learn, through one of the most immersive pedagogies possible.