- IIT Gandhinagar’s SPARK Project transforms classrooms into creative labs for 60,000 kids
- Workshops use everyday items—plastic bottles, vegetables, newspapers, and even discarded materials—to build models that make science and math tangible
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, OCT 2
In a heartwarming blend of creativity, history, and science, middle-school students of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) schools are rediscovering the joy of learning through hands-on STEM projects designed by IIT Gandhinagar.
At Amarpura Hindi Shala, a heritage school visited by Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi, students recently built a remarkable exhibit using 10,000 dice—a double portrait featuring Mahatma Gandhi on one side and Lal Bahadur Shastri on the other. The tribute, created with guidance from the IITGN team, marked the birth anniversaries of the two leaders on October 2.
“It’s Navratri and we’ve been staying up late at night, but I was so excited to wake up early to work with IIT Gandhinagar’s team. Making Gandhi ji’s portrait with dice was so much fun!” said a Grade 8 student from the school.
The initiative is part of SPARK, a year-long collaboration between IIT Gandhinagar and AMC, aiming to bring STEM education to life for 60,000 middle-schoolers across 453 schools. Instead of memorizing concepts from textbooks, students now explore curriculum through toys, puzzles, exhibits, and art.
Workshops use everyday items—plastic bottles, vegetables, newspapers, and even discarded materials—to build models that make science and math tangible. Weekly online sessions on Smart TVs extend the learning experience, while 200 specially selected students will receive mentorship from IIT Gandhinagar experts to nurture STEM careers.
“The creative ideas excite children and adults alike! Most activities use simple, affordable materials so every child can participate. It’s the best use of Smart TVs in classrooms,” said Rajendra Rathod, Principal, Amarpura Hindi Shala.
For Imroz Khan Pathan, STEM Content Researcher at IITGN’s Center for Creative Learning, the project is also personal. His father, a retired AMC teacher and principal, dedicated his life to education. “There is a hunger among these children. We are just giving them engaging content connected to their lives,” Imroz shared, noting how he is carrying forward his father’s legacy on a larger scale.
By turning classrooms into mini science labs and creative studios, the IITGN-AMC partnership is not just teaching STEM—it is inspiring curiosity, nurturing confidence, and building the foundation for the innovators of tomorrow.
