Mathematics is often seen as a complicated subject — a mix of numbers and alphabets that has no meaning.
To address this, a group of Ph.D scholars from the Institute of Mathematical Sciences has made it its business to ensure that, through workshops, school children learn the sciences the right way, using activities that help relate science and maths to real life.
The idea of geometry, for example, is better taught through origami, by way of which students understand how folding a piece of paper in different angles produces 3D figures, says the organiser of the program, Kamalakshya Mahatav. Similarly, the team has tried to use sticks and other household items to help students relate to science and mathematics.
“Earlier, many Ph.D scholars from the institute taught mathematics to school children at local schools. Many students, however, don’t even understand the basics, so it is difficult to teach them complicated concepts. Which is why we decided to teach school children to change their approach to maths and science,” he said.
The idea behind the workshop is to encourage students to consider scientific research as a career, another organiser, Nirmalya, said.
Even the program’s participants seem to feel the difference between what they learn at school and what they have learnt so far at the workshop.
“Over here, we have been making circuits and doing something productive as we learn, which never happens in school. Even though I am going into class X and my special classes will start soon, I am glad that I came for this workshop rather than go on a holiday,” Apurva Sriram from Sir Sivaswami Kalalaya said.
Over 50 students from different schools in the city participated in the workshop, which will end on May 11.
