Project Impact
Finding the Spark
Project Journey
Brainstorming & Conception
Initially, Arnav envisioned creating a blog for publishing his poems through Crimson Creative Publication. Working closely with his mentor, he developed a comprehensive list of writing options and potential mediums. While his initial focus was on poetry and short stories—formats he was already familiar with—Arnav's vision expanded beyond poetry into something more ambitious.
Discovery & Research
Working with her mentor, she analyzed the primary contributors: automobile emissions and industrial pollution. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the scale of the problem, Rena focused on identifying actionable solutions that could empower individuals to make a difference. Her research extended beyond statistics to explore successful environmental initiatives worldwide, leading her to the concept of seed bombs as a practical tool for change.
Development & Literary Exploration
The project began with an in-depth study of celebrated authors. Arnav identified three primary influences:
Rudyard Kipling Ruskin Bond Maya Angelou
In Arnav's own words about Rudyard Kipling:
"I like how he expresses the true motive of life in such a beautiful way. He taught me how to live life." This exploration led to a pivotal shift—from writing poems to undertaking a full-length novel. Drawing from his appreciation of how authors explore life's transformative journeys, Arnav developed The Road to Emerging Powers. His story follows an orphan's journey to becoming a hero, examining how surroundings and circumstances shape one's mindset and thoughts.
Strategic Planning
Rena approached the planning phase with the same innovative mindset that drove her love for technology. She developed seed bombs - an ingenious combination of seeds, clay, and soil - designed to make environmental action accessible to everyone.
With her mentor's guidance, she:
+ Refined product design through multiple iterations
+ Developed her business model
+ Set clear success metrics (50 plants goal)
+ Established community engagement targets
Understanding the importance of sustainable impact, Rena created a comprehensive business model that would serve multiple purposes: environmental improvement, community engagement, and social responsibility (UNICEF donations).
Writing & Publishing Process
Like every writer, Arnav faced his fair share of challenges. Writer's block tested his creativity, while maintaining motivation through long writing sessions proved demanding. The journey from first draft to published book involved hundreds of hours of editing and proofreading, requiring both patience and persistence. Through consistent mentorship, collaborative ideation, and rigorous editing sessions, he refined his manuscript until it met professional publishing standards.
The decision to pursue physical publication brought its own set of considerations. While digital platforms offered immediate feedback, Arnav recognized the enduring value of a printed book—particularly for reaching school audiences and serious readers.
His efforts paid off when he successfully pitched his concept to BriBooks, the world's leading children's creative writing platform. BriBooks' global distribution network, including platforms like Amazon, helped Arnav's work reach an international audience.
Leadership & Implementation
Rena's execution phase demonstrated her natural ability to blend technological solutions with environmental action. She built a professional website for SeeD Air, creating a digital platform that would extend her project's reach beyond immediate community boundaries.
Her partnership with local botanical organizations proved crucial, providing expertise and credibility to her initiative. Through organized community presentations, Rena shared not just her product but also vital information about air pollution's impact, making complex environmental data accessible to her audience.
She managed every aspect of the operation - from crafting seed bombs to handling sales and coordinating with UNICEF for donations.
With over a decade of international education experience, Gala has guided students from Auckland to San Francisco in realizing their full potential. Her mentees have achieved remarkable success. Recent examples include but are not limited to having a student be shortlisted for the John Locke essay competition and attend the finals in Oxford, UK, have a student fly to Texas, USA all the way from Melbourne, Australia to participate in the Robotics World Championships, and encourage a shy, anxiety-ridden student to find her voice in a post-lockdown world by mentoring her on writing her own novel.
She also spent a summer studying Shakespeare at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, UK. Her career has included working for companies such as Walt Disney and Sesame Street, a variety of film and theatre projects, as well as mentoring students of all ages as an international educator. She also has a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard.