The DIDI was a four-month- long journey for 24 ingenious, creative, and innovative students from Years 9 and 10. The students were split into five teams, each of which was given a client which was a large company. The DIDI required the students to put their heart, soul and creative minds into conjuring a solution for the problem they were given by their clients. This is how our
journey began
journey began
The process of selecting the students was carried out by our amazing teachers. As soon as the
students were selected, they were introduced to the requirements of DIDI and put into teams
where they got to know their actual task, solving the concern of their clients. The clients were:
Adidas, Splash, Alserkal Avenue, IBM and Expo 2020.
students were selected, they were introduced to the requirements of DIDI and put into teams
where they got to know their actual task, solving the concern of their clients. The clients were:
Adidas, Splash, Alserkal Avenue, IBM and Expo 2020.
The Adidas team consisted of Aditya (Year 10), Alistair (Year 10), Aryan (Year 9), Akindu (Year 9) and Keertikan (Year 9). Their challenge was to utilize the waste plastic from the sea in an environmentally friendly way. After thorough research and surveys, the Adidas team built a prototype of a plastic-collecting machine. Should a person recycle plastic in the machine, he/she would receive a voucher for Adidas (for example, 25% off on Adidas Superstars).
The Splash team consisted of Devin (Year 9), Danushi (Year 10), Kinza (Year 10), Niranjana (Year
10) and Karthikan (Year 9). Their challenge was to design smart clothing which was feasible.
After extensive research and surveys, the Splash team designed extremely smart clothes which
didn’t only make a person look stylish but provided him/her with a ton of health benefits as well.
10) and Karthikan (Year 9). Their challenge was to design smart clothing which was feasible.
After extensive research and surveys, the Splash team designed extremely smart clothes which
didn’t only make a person look stylish but provided him/her with a ton of health benefits as well.
The Alserkal Avenue team consisted of Bisha (Year 9), Farhan (Year 10), Clint (Year 10), Hadi (Year 9) and Murtaza (Year 9). Their challenge was to increase pedestrian flow within Alserkal Avenue by shading, seating or any other physical installments. After their share of research and surveys, the Alserkal Avenue team designed plenty of shading solutions which were not only
innovative but attractive as well. They also designed 3-D floors and an innovation wall for all the
artists who visited the place.
innovative but attractive as well. They also designed 3-D floors and an innovation wall for all the
artists who visited the place.
The IBM team consisted of Lamya (Year 9), Shania (Year 9), Roxanne (Year 10), Mohit (Year 10) and Rashaad (Year 10). Their challenge was to design a futuristic car showroom. After tiring research and surveys, the IBM team designed a showroom which incorporated virtual reality, head-phone guidance, simulators, a play area for visiting children, a place where clients could customize their own car key chain (as a souvenir), and finally a café.
The Expo 2020 team consisted of Mahamid (Year 9), Racheal (Year 9), Aarohi (Year 10) and
Salman (Year 10). Their challenge was to make sure that the people who attended the Expo
2020 did not get bored by long queues. After researching and conducting surveys, the Expo
2020 team came up with great games for customers and tourists at the Expo 2020. One of their
games involved an attendant asking questions. Whoever answered the questions would move
forward in the queue. In this way, the customers would not only be kept entertained but would
gain knowledge as well.
Salman (Year 10). Their challenge was to make sure that the people who attended the Expo
2020 did not get bored by long queues. After researching and conducting surveys, the Expo
2020 team came up with great games for customers and tourists at the Expo 2020. One of their
games involved an attendant asking questions. Whoever answered the questions would move
forward in the queue. In this way, the customers would not only be kept entertained but would
gain knowledge as well.
Although the DIDI usually chooses just one team per school, DS had them choose 2 teams from
our school this year! The Adidas and the IBM team were selected as the finalists and proceeded
into the next round of competition.
our school this year! The Adidas and the IBM team were selected as the finalists and proceeded
into the next round of competition.
On March 10 th the two finalists went to the DIDI institute with their supportive teachers and
mentors for DIDI, Mrs. Malika and Mrs. Vidya. Their parents were invited as well. The teams
presented their solutions. Both the teams did an exceptional job and received an AED 150
Splash voucher and an Adidas shirt respectively.
mentors for DIDI, Mrs. Malika and Mrs. Vidya. Their parents were invited as well. The teams
presented their solutions. Both the teams did an exceptional job and received an AED 150
Splash voucher and an Adidas shirt respectively.
At the end of the day, when it was time to announce the winners, the tension in the room was
so strong it could have been cut with a knife. The judges finally announced TEAM ADIDAS as the
winners of DIDI 2018! As per DIDI regulation, the team that won would get to do an internship
at the company they were allotted, in this case Adidas. For the Adidas team, it was a dream
come true!
so strong it could have been cut with a knife. The judges finally announced TEAM ADIDAS as the
winners of DIDI 2018! As per DIDI regulation, the team that won would get to do an internship
at the company they were allotted, in this case Adidas. For the Adidas team, it was a dream
come true!
But one of the most inspirational DIDI moments was still to come; Mrs. Malika’s words,
addressed to all DIDI participants:
“Never let a win get to your head or a loss to your heart. Winning brings happiness, losing
brings wisdom.”
addressed to all DIDI participants:
“Never let a win get to your head or a loss to your heart. Winning brings happiness, losing
brings wisdom.”
“It was overall a great experience, and one I’ll never forget. I met people I never knew
and became good friends with them. I learnt how to lead a team and how important
teamwork is to achieve something. I learnt new designing skills and techniques I never
knew. I even learned how to manage a team, and presentation skills. And overall, I
appreciate the work of each one of my team members and want to say that we couldn’t
have done it without each other.”-Aditya
and became good friends with them. I learnt how to lead a team and how important
teamwork is to achieve something. I learnt new designing skills and techniques I never
knew. I even learned how to manage a team, and presentation skills. And overall, I
appreciate the work of each one of my team members and want to say that we couldn’t
have done it without each other.”-Aditya
“DIDI was not only an amazing experience, it was a four-month- long learning journey. I learnt
how to work with new individuals and made new friends as well. DIDI gave me a
professionalized experience and a chance for all 24 of us to unleash our creative minds and a
platform that helped us boost our confidence and presentation skills.”- Bisha
how to work with new individuals and made new friends as well. DIDI gave me a
professionalized experience and a chance for all 24 of us to unleash our creative minds and a
platform that helped us boost our confidence and presentation skills.”- Bisha
"This experience was the best till date as not only did we work as a group but also with company itself .Thanks to Mrs Malika & Mrs Vidya for guiding,supporting and being with us throughout the sessions of brainstorming,ideating and pitching and a special thanks to my wonderful group.'-Aryan
Written by Bisha
Edited by Shoaib
Compiled by Aryan
Captured by Ishrat
Edited by Shoaib
Compiled by Aryan
Captured by Ishrat