Creative Inquiry Teams Co-Create Solutions with Agastya in India

Juliana Magarelli '27 didn’t expect to find herself in rural India, collaborating with 50 of the best engineering students from all over India she’d only met online weeks earlier. But for her and 11 other students from Lehigh’s Office of Creative Inquiry - joined by three faculty mentors, the fieldwork is real, and so is the impact. 

Over three weeks, from May 17 to June 7, the team is advancing five dynamic initiatives in partnership with the Agastya International Foundation. Their projects—ranging from using Generative AI to enhance K–12 education to tackling climate education and improving math learning—are rooted in deep collaboration with local partners. This effort marks an exciting chapter in the growing partnership between Lehigh and Agastya, focused on driving innovation and impact at the grassroots level.

The five project teams are:

  • Future Makers Unlimited, mentored by Eric Obeysekare, teaching assistant professor of computer science and engineering and Creative Inquiry: Integrating making and design thinking into mobile science labs to foster creativity and critical thinking in rural classrooms.
  • Humanitarian Design and Social Enterprise (HDSE) Leadership IntensiveLeadership Intensive, mentored by Khanjan Mehta, vice provost for Creative Inquiry: Building a platform to teach engineering students in India how to apply their technical knowledge to real-world sustainable development challenges. There are 40 students from the Indo- Universal Collaboration for Engineering Education (IUCEE) who have completed the HDSE virtual Academy earlier and will be participating in the Leadership Intensive.
  • RAISE, mentored by Eric Obeysekare: Promoting the responsible use of generative AI in K-12 STEAM education through creative curriculum design and outreach strategies.
  • MathPal, mentored by Zilong Pan, assistant professor of teaching, learning, and technology: Designing an AI-powered math learning assistant that partners with students to improve problem-solving and confidence.
  • Creating the Climate Change Learning Center of the Future, mentored by Bill Whitney, assistant vice provost for Experiential Learning Programs: Co-developing interactive, hands-on learning experiences that deepen climate literacy and environmental action.

Earlier this year, Lehigh University and Agastya International Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand collaboration in education, research, and academic development. The agreement reinforces a shared mission to advance creativity, critical thinking, and equitable access to innovation-driven learning.

"At the intersection of creativity, inquiry, and social change, the Agastya–Lehigh partnership empowers students to become global problem-solvers," says Shrishail Dhanawade, Chief Experience Officer at Agastya. "Through immersive fieldwork at Agastya’s Innovation Campus, students and faculty co-create hands-on projects - from STEAM and AI tools to climate outreach models adapted to local needs - driving innovation and impact in underserved Indian communities."

Agastya International Foundation, a pioneering nonprofit based in India, aims to impact 100 million underserved children and 1 million teachers by 2032. The organization is globally recognized for its mobile science labs, teacher training programs, and hands-on STEM education—initiatives designed to spark curiosity and creativity in communities with limited access to traditional resources.

Jason Sargent, a lecturer at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia and a long-time collaborator in humanitarian design, will be traveling from Australia to India to join the fieldwork. Reflecting on the value of immersive experiences, he shared: "This type of embedded, real-world experience allows students to build on their academic foundations and apply them in challenging, unfamiliar contexts. It’s where innovation, creativity, and meaningful impact truly take shape—far beyond what can be replicated in a traditional classroom."

Juliana Magarelli '27, a bioengineering major and member of the HDSE team, says the opportunity to collaborate in India is both exciting and inspiring.

"I'm looking forward to meeting engineering students and faculty in India who are passionate about transforming engineering education.” She says. “It’s inspiring to connect with people who share our drive to make a difference, and to work together on applying what we know to solve real-world problems.”

Now on the ground in India, students are collaborating closely with local partners to bring their ideas to life. Stay tuned for reflections, insights, and stories as they complete their fieldwork and prepare to showcase the impact of their work.