Digital Pedagogy Workshop for Science Teachers UP August 2026

Background and Context

Science education aims to nurture curiosity, develop scientific temper, and help students understand the natural world through inquiry, observation, experimentation, and critical thinking. However, classroom practices in many government schools remain largely textbook-oriented and lecture-driven, with science often treated as a subject for rote learning and syllabus completion. Many schools lack laboratories and basic teaching materials, resulting in limited opportunities for experiments and hands-on activities. These challenges are further compounded by the reliance on generalist teachers and limited teacher confidence or familiarity with activity-based and inquiry-oriented approaches.

Addressing these gaps requires a shift towards contextual, experiential, and inquiry-based science learning. Digital technologies can support this shift through simulations, visualizations, and interactive resources, especially where physical laboratories and materials are limited. However, despite improved availability of technology in government schools, its use remains limited due to teachers’ unfamiliarity with available technologies and limited professional development focused on integrating technology into science teaching rather than simply operating devices or accessing resources.

Objectives of the workshop

1. Demonstrate teachers can learn to use EdTech and can be enthused about using EdTech in teaching
2. Teachers access Phet resources for their use and learning
3. Teachers create/adapt/curate digital content as Open Educational Resources
4. Teachers develop abilities to use Free and Open Source EdTech to teach Science

Science Teachers Workshop Agenda

Day 1
Time	Session name	Description/process	Resources
10 to 10.30	Program Inauguration	Introduction to the workshop
10:30 to 11:30	Workshop Overview	- Discussion on challenges in teaching Science in classrooms - Overview of the workshop agenda
11:30 to 11:45	Tea break
11:45 to 1:00	Introduction to teaching science with technology	- Nature and aims of Science education - Role of digital tools in teaching science	Science- Slide deck Science NCF PP Podcasts
1:00 to 2:00	Lunch
2:15 to 3:30	Immersive demo	- Concept-specific demo on integrating STEM OER (Freeplane, Phet and vokoscreen) into teaching - Discussions on learning objectives, common student misconceptions, and strategies to address them (Immersive demo + Hands on) - How can digital tools like Freeplane, PhET and Vokoscreen support the aims of teaching Science	Science- Slide deck
3:30 to 3:45	Tea break
3:45 to 5:00	Introduction to the Tools – PhET and Hands-on Practice	- Getting started with PhET, basic interface and familiarization - Accessing, downloading simulation, translated sims, activities
Day 2
10 to 10.30	Recap and plan for the day
10:30 to 11.30 (Including tea break)	Phet Exploration – I	- Teachers explore the simulation in groups and identify the topic for presentation from Phet simulation
11:45 to 1:00	AI In STEM	- Demonstrating the ethical use of AI in designing activities or questions while integrating simulations in classroom teaching
1:00 to 2:00	Lunch
2:00 to 3:15	Phet Exploration – II	- Teachers explore and select a particular topic/simulation for presentation and design activities/worksheet for the same
3:15 to 3:30	Tea break
3:30 to 5:00	Presentations	- Teachers present their exploration and AI integration
Day 3
10 to 10.30	Recap and plan for the day
10.30 to 1.00 (Including tea break)	Creating Concept map	- Importance of concept map - Creating a lesson plan using concept map tool - Teachers choose topic to create concept map - Teachers use concept map features to enrich the map - Creating map in Hindi	Science Concept map Slide deck learn freeplane
1:00 to 2:00	Lunch
2:00 to 5:00 (Including tea break)	Creating video resources	- Creating videos through screencasting tool
Day 4
10.00 to 10.30	Recap and plan for the day
10.30 to 1.00 (Including tea break)	Group work	- Collaborative lesson planning – in smaller groups - to integrate curated and contextualized resources	Lesson plan Template
1:00 to 2:00	Lunch
2:00 to 3:00	Implementation planning and way forward	- Presentations and discussions on the lesson plans and resources developed as part of the group work - Classroom implementation - Impact on engagement and learning
3:00 to 3:15	Tea break
3:15 to 4:00	Role of Edtech	- Discussion on role and potential of EdTech in Mathematics and Science education + Open House - Closure and next steps
4:00 to 4:30	Workshop closure	- Feedback form, group photos