What are some of the ways in which the Centre for Creative Learning (CCL) at IIT Gandhinagar and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) are making science fun and engaging for students and teachers?

The CCL and IISER have developed interactive videos and outreach programs that are helping teachers and students learn science and math in a fun and engaging way. The CCL’s video explains how PT Usha missed out on a medal in the 1984 Olympics because of the delay in hearing the sound of the starting pistol. The video also explains how the problem has been solved by using speakers in each lane.

IISER’s videos and outreach programs explain concepts such as pressure, convection, and fractions using practical demonstrations and experiments. The programs are designed to make science more interesting and accessible to students, especially those in rural areas. IISER also offers teacher training programs that use “toys” made from magnets and daily-use items to teach science concepts in a practical and engaging way.

The programs offered by the CCL and IISER are free and are funded by IISER or via industry CSR initiatives. The National Achievement Survey 2021 showed a decline in learning during the pandemic, but outreach programs like IISER’s can help students and teachers struggling during these times. Teachers who have attended these programs have found them to be effective in making learning more activity-based, which helps students better understand and remember concepts.