Introduction
The State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Dehradun, in collaboration with the Agastya International Foundation and the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Titan Company, inaugurated a series of 3-day Teacher Training Workshops titled ‘Make Your Own Lab’ on March 24, 2025. The objective of this workshop series is to empower and upskill government school science teachers by enabling them to create low-cost, innovative Teaching-Learning Materials (TLMs) using readily available resources.
The workshops are part of a larger initiative to promote hands-on, experiential learning in science classrooms. By the end of the workshop, each participating teacher will have prepared a science kit containing over 30 TLMs to effectively demonstrate scientific concepts to their students. This initiative is expected to significantly enhance classroom engagement and foster a scientific temperament among students.
Inaugural Session
The inaugural ceremony was held at SCERT Dehradun and Azim Premji Foundation, Dehradun, and was graced by prominent dignitaries:
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Mr Pradeep Kumar, Additional Director, SCERT
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Dr K.N. Bijalwan, Assistant Director, SCERT
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Mr Akhilesh Dobhal, State Coordinator, SCERT
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The Agastya International Foundation Team
- Manjunath P, Head, teacher development program
- Ananthnag M, manager for the teacher development program
- Nagaraja K, Executive
- Purushotam, Harish M, Venkatesh, Ayeesha, Mobeena: Resource person Agastya Int
Mr. Akhilesh Dobhal, the workshop coordinator, extended a warm welcome to the participating teachers and provided an overview of the workshop objectives. He highlighted how the initiative aims to equip teachers with practical skills to create cost-effective science models that make science learning engaging and accessible.
Mr. Pradeep Kumar, in his address, emphasised the need to develop scientific rigour and curiosity among students. He referenced the recent scientific efforts to rescue astronaut Sunita Williams and her team from a stranded space mission, illustrating how perseverance and scientific expertise drive real-world solutions.
Dr. K.N. Bijalwan spoke about the importance of teacher development programmes and encouraged participants to make the best use of the training. He stressed that hands-on experimentation is essential for students to grasp scientific concepts effectively.
Workshop Participants and Duration
CEO Nitin Desai from Agastya International Foundation stated that the workshop series is expected to benefit 400 government school science teachers across Uttarakhand. The first phase, held from March 24-26, 2025, included:
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80 teachers from Dehradun district
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80 teachers from the Tehri Garhwal district
These teachers actively participated in the workshop, creating innovative science models and experimenting with low-cost materials to develop practical TLMs.
Training Activities and Highlights
Throughout the 3-day workshop, teachers engaged in hands-on sessions led by expert resource persons from the Agastya International Foundation. The sessions focused on:
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Designing Low-Cost Science Experiments: Teachers learnt how to create effective models using inexpensive and locally available materials.
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Hands-On Demonstrations: Practical demonstrations of scientific concepts using TLMs to illustrate physics, chemistry, and biology principles.
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Collaborative Learning: Teachers collaborated in groups to brainstorm and design creative TLMs, fostering peer learning and innovation.
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Assembling Science Kits: Each participant assembled their own science kit comprising over 30 TLMs, which they can utilise in their respective classrooms.
Technical Support and Coordination
The smooth execution of the workshop was supported by the SCERT IT team members:
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R.P. Badoni
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Saurabh Joshi
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Vinay Uniyal
Their technical expertise and assistance ensured seamless coordination of the sessions, including resource sharing, troubleshooting, and facilitation.
Impact and Takeaways
The ‘Make Your Own Lab’ workshop offers teachers practical skills and resources to enhance science education through experiential learning. The initiative aims to:
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Encourage innovation in teaching practices by promoting DIY science models.
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Improve student engagement and conceptual understanding through interactive demonstrations.
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Foster a culture of scientific inquiry and curiosity in government schools.
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Enable teachers to develop and sustain low-cost science labs, making science education more accessible and impactful.
Conclusion
The SCERT Dehradun and Agastya International Foundation’s joint initiative is a significant step toward transforming science education in Uttarakhand. By equipping teachers with the skills to develop their own TLMs, the programme empowers them to make science learning more engaging, practical, and effective. The workshop is expected to inspire creativity and innovation in science teaching, ultimately benefiting students across the state.
The success of this workshop series highlights the importance of collaborative efforts between educational institutions, NGOs, and corporate partners in enhancing the quality of education through innovative practices.