- CCL outreach programme engages 500+ AMC school students through hands-on science and mathematics experiments
- Interactive workshops transform textbooks into real-world discovery using paper models, sound experiments and chemistry demonstrations
- Students explore geometry, acoustics, computational thinking and cryptography through playful learning
- Initiative reinforces IIT Gandhinagar’s mission to spark curiosity and scientific temperament among school children
NE EDUTAINMENT BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, MAR 12
In an inspiring initiative to make science and mathematics come alive for schoolchildren, the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar conducted a series of immersive STEM workshops for schools under the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, engaging more than 500 students from Classes 5 to 8 in creative, hands-on learning.
The workshops were organised by the Center for Creative Learning IIT Gandhinagar between January 19 and February 6, 2026, and were held both at school campuses and at IIT Gandhinagar’s facilities.
Designed as two-hour experiential sessions, the programme aimed to strengthen foundational understanding in science, mathematics and computational thinking by encouraging students to explore concepts through experiments, models and interactive games.
Turning Simple Materials into Scientific Discovery
The outreach programme began on January 19 at Khokhra Gujarati School, where more than 100 students participated in a creative activity called “A4 Paper Math.”
Using simple A4 sheets, students built models to understand concepts such as geometry, symmetry and spatial reasoning, while also witnessing demonstrations that illustrated scientific principles using everyday materials.
Students from Ellisbridge School No. 12 later visited IIT Gandhinagar to explore area and volume of geometrical shapes through paper-based experiments and live demonstrations showing how mathematics applies in the real world.
Sound, Chemistry and Computational Thinking
At Sanklitnagar Primary School No. 2, students discovered the science of sound by building simple instruments that demonstrated vibration, frequency and resonance.
Meanwhile, a chemistry-themed workshop at Indrapuri Public School introduced students to acid–base reactions through creative experiments and engaging demonstrations.
Between February 4 and 6, students from Trikampura Public School, Millatnagar Urdu School and Dudheshwar Gujarati School participated in workshops on computational thinking, where they explored logical reasoning, problem solving and basic cryptography through interactive puzzles and games.
Learning by Doing
– NE photo
Jay Thakkar, Senior Technical Officer at the Center for Creative Learning, explained the philosophy behind the workshops: “At CCL, we believe that the best way to understand science and mathematics is by doing and exploring. When students touch, build, and experiment with simple materials, the concepts become real and meaningful for them. Our goal through these workshops is to encourage curiosity and show students that learning STEM can be joyful, creative, and connected to everyday life. Seeing their excitement and questions reminds us why such experiential learning opportunities are so important.”
Educators noted enthusiastic participation from students throughout the programme, as young learners eagerly experimented, asked questions and discovered scientific principles through hands-on exploration.
By transforming textbook concepts into engaging experiments, the initiative helped make STEM subjects more accessible and enjoyable for children.
The workshop series reflects IIT Gandhinagar’s continuing commitment to experiential learning, community outreach and nurturing scientific curiosity among school students.
