Children have boundless curiosity. Have you ever seen children get intrigued by a topic? Or tinker around with random objects? Or ask numerous questions a day? Add to that, their creativity and imagination ensures there’s never a dull moment. Hand a child a spoon, and you’ll see it turn into an airplane, a guitar and a drumstick, or whatever the mood fancies. Children are natural innovators, and their instinct for innovation must be nurtured.

Innovative thinking encourages exploration and flexibility of thought. Children who are taught innovative thinking not only become better problem solvers but are also more adaptable and able to seize new opportunities. Some have even inspired real-life innovations that have greatly improved our lives. Innovative thinking in children is especially crucial in today’s world marked by rapid advancement in science and technology, in the backdrop of worsening environmental degradation.

When children apply such out-of-the-box thinking, they come up with creative solutions for the issues that affect them the most. Take a look at these child inventors whose spirit for innovation led them to inventions that can solve some of our most pressing concerns today.

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Among the gravest problems the world faces today is air pollution. Sustained exposure to air pollution has an adverse effect on lung function, memory and IQ, immune function and even bone health. And its impact is disproportionately felt by children. Air pollution also has a significant impact on the socioeconomic health of a country. In 2013, India lost more than 8.5% of its GDP to air pollution. With the country being home seven out of 10 most polluted cities in the world, innovative solutions to combat air pollution are the need of the hour.

#BreatheFree — a clean air initiative by Volvo Cars — seeks to make sustainable living solutions more accessible. In phase 1, the campaign sought to protect children from environmental pollution. Now, in phase 2 it seeks to make them a part of the solution.

#BreatheFree is searching for enterprising kids who are willing to step up and contribute to the fight against environmental degradation. It is inviting innovative ideas and prototypes that can help build a sustainable future. The winner(s) will receive Rs 1 Lakh scholarship from Network18 and the ‘Youth Innovation Leader’ title, in addition to a one-month internship at PerSapien Innovation — a biodesign company trying to tackle the ill effects of air pollution. The top 20 entries selected will also get a chance to have their ideas featured in an e-book manual. Volvo Cars will, moreover, help the winning idea come alive. To participate, click here.

Innovation can come from anywhere, anyone and in any size. Volvo Cars’ #BreatheFree campaign seeks to put children at the forefront of innovation in sustainable living. To know more about #BreatheFree, click here.

This is a partnered post.