Recently, fourth graders at a US-based school huddled around tables scattered with spaghetti sticks, marshmallows, and string. The challenge? Build the tallest freestanding tower. But behind the enthusiasm and sticky fingers lies a serious lesson: design thinking, a structured process of problem-solving built on empathy, ideation, prototyping, and testing.

Enrichment initiatives like this, once confined to innovation hubs like Stanford University’s d.school, are now shaping the way the best schools in Bangalore teach children as young as preschoolers. Educators argue that these methods build creativity, nurture resilience, collaboration, and critical thinking. These are some of the many qualities parents believe traditional textbooks overlook.

The Shift is Trickling Down

Academic scores are often the centre of attention in our country. But the true test of a school lies not in rote learning but in how it prepares children for a future of complex challenges. Schools are beginning to welcome this shift by equipping children to question, imagine, and discover as they learn. Among these, Ekya Schools has emerged as a leader, championing enrichment programs that stretch beyond classroom walls.

​Here’s a closer look at how their transformative activities, guided by Design Thinking, Deep Drive, Find Y, Find Journal, and Explorations, are inspiring parents, learners, and even other schools.

The Power of Design Thinking

Design Thinking is a structured approach that enables learners in CBSE schools in Bangalore to identify problems, brainstorm solutions, and prototype ideas. For instance, the upcoming Palliative and Elderly Care Challenge by  Ekya schools, one of the leading CBSE schools in Bangalore, for next year is part of their effort to solve societal problems using design thinking techniques. Participants of this program reimagine everyday objects, tackle community challenges, and develop critical and creative thinking skills that prepare them for real-world problem-solving. In doing so, Ekya Schools:

• Encourage empathy-driven innovation
• Build resilience through trial and error.
• Nurture collaborative teamwork

Deep Dive Program: Learning in Layers

The Deep Dive program immerses learners in themes that spark their minds. Some of the trending topics include, but are not limited to, Clay Modelling, Vedic Maths, photography, and Forensics. This slow, layered exploration ensures that knowledge is lived. It is this kind of experiential engagement that sets top schools in Bangalore apart from traditional models. Curious to see how enrichment is redefined?

Find Y Program: A Journey to Self-Discovery

Adolescence is a time of curiosity, wonder, and big questions: Who am I? What truly drives me? What matters most to me? The Find Y program at Ekya empowers learners to explore these questions with guidance, reflection, and mentorship. It is an open-ended project that puts learners in the driver’s seat. They explore topics, both scientific and social, like researchers do, and present their findings to the school community. Find Y is therefore a journey of curiosity, exploration, and discovering one’s Y. Explore Ekya’s Find Y program here and discover why it’s shaping tomorrow’s thinkers.

Find Journal: Reflection as a Habit

Ekya introduces the Find Journal as a way to cultivate mindfulness and reflection in school children. Learners are encouraged to pause, write, and make sense of their emotions and experiences. Over time, this practice strengthens emotional intelligence and nurtures thoughtful, empathetic individuals, a core need in today’s hyperconnected world.

• Builds resilience and self-regulation
• Supports emotional growth alongside academics
• Creates lifelong habits of reflection

Exploration Day: Learning Outside the Classroom

On Exploration Day at Ekya Schools, textbooks are set aside as learners step into worlds of art, science, and nature. They might visit a museum, debate social issues, or experiment in the school’s studios. These days embody the belief that learning is everywhere, making Ekya one of the most progressive CBSE schools in Bangalore.

FAQs

1. How do enrichment programs benefit my child?

They build critical life skills like problem-solving, creativity, emotional intelligence, and teamwork. These are skills that go beyond traditional academics.

2. Are these programs part of the regular curriculum at Ekya Schools?

Yes. Programs such as Design Thinking, Deep Dive, and Find Journal are integrated into the learning model to complement academic instruction.

3. What makes Ekya Schools among the best schools in Bangalore?

The balance between strong academics and holistic enrichment opportunities, along with a progressive teaching philosophy, makes Ekya Schools stand out.

4. Do enrichment programs replace academic subjects?

No. They enhance and extend learning, offering learners deeper connections between knowledge and real-world applications.

5. Can learners from all grades participate in these activities?

Yes, the enrichment programs are tailored to suit different age groups, ensuring every learner benefits meaningfully.