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IFIA Magazine
March 2024

[By: Juli Shively, Co-Founder of GIFT - Date: October 2023 ,28] The -24hour, online, multi-
country Global Innovation Field Trip (GIFT) is celebrating the achievements of young innovators
and program leaders from around the world. They are invited to share their innovation stories
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step forward. Any apprehensions they may have vanish as the program hosts warmly welcome
them. They realize that they are not only representing themselves but also their school, club,
community, and country. What they have innovated matters less than the fact that they have
innovated, and GIFT provides the platform to showcase this achievement.
The GIFT experience extends beyond the classroom, transforming students into global experts
on their innovations. They are both mentored and mentoring, and a global learning experience
unfolds. These young individuals persist with courage, believing that they can and will make
a difference, as they share their stories. As a colleague often reminds me, in ten years, these
students may not remember us or GIFT, but they will remember the empowerment they felt
when they shared their innovation stories with the world.
At GIFT, we practice what we preach by taking risks, persevering through challenges, and
continuously evolving the program to meet the needs of young innovators and program
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Innovation Challenge live at the October 2023 GIFT. Students from 21 countries participated
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one-hour judging sessions were held during the -24hour event. The participating countries in
2023 included Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, China, Egypt, Guyana, India,
Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South
Africa, The Gambia, Thailand, and the United States.
Ten international judges, three hosts, and three moderators presided over the sessions. People
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questions posed by the judges. It was truly an inspirational event.

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,03$&7 $:$5'
- Automatic Irrigation System by Momodou S loum (The Gambia)
- CarePear by Ririi Aoyama (China)
- CocoPure Water Filter by Rhea Doshi (USA)
- Harvesthub by Binamra Lamsal and Hritik Yadav (Nepal)
- Ready Fi Di Road by Julian Mohabir and Landon Mohabir (Guyana)
- The PAU by Aditi Bhattamishra (USA)
352&(66 $:$5'
- Aquality by Saranya Anantapantula (USA)
- Comfort Calm Care Mat by Fjola Donofrio (USA)
- Corneal Applanation Scleral Buckling Model by Sonia Patel (USA)
- Ludo-Foodo Game by V. Thirja and V. Divya (India)
- Need A Hand? by Steven Kerr and Joseph Bowen Rebbechi (USA)
- Safe Ride by Amina Lesbekova, Murat Almas, and Kobylandy Urastayev (Kazakhstan)