Mohali: Conference dwells on innovative methods to make mathematics engaging for students

In a pioneering effort to transform mathematics education, the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) organised a state-level conference-cum-panel discussion on the theme “How to make maths interesting for students”. The event was headed by Dr Amarpal Singh, Chairman, PSEB, with the concept curated by subject expert Pritpal Singh Kathuria, who also moderated the discussion.

In his inaugural address, Dr Amarpal Singh, IAS (retd), stressed on the need to move beyond conventional teaching methods and urged educators to adopt experiential and interdisciplinary strategies to spark curiosity among students.

“Mathematics must evolve from being seen as a subject of fear to a subject of joy,” he emphasised. The conference witnessed an impressive gathering of educators, influencers, subject experts and mathematics teachers from both government and private schools across various states. Prominent influencers, who showcased innovative teaching methodologies included, Amit Chaudhary (Haryana) — popularly known as Maths Baba, Jaswinder Singh (Punjab) — Science on Wheels, Arun Garg (Punjab) — Abhyaas, and Sunam Mukherjee (Bangalore) — The Pancha Tatva Academy.

The panel discussion focused on three captivating sub-themes — mathematics in nature, mathematics in real life, and mathematics and artificial intelligence (AI).

Speakers illustrated how natural patterns — such as spirals in seashells, branching in trees and floral symmetry — can be powerful tools to teach mathematical concepts like geometry and the Fibonacci sequence. Jaswinder Singh highlighted a spiritual dimension by elaborating on the significance of the number 108, which holds cultural, scientific and mathematical importance, symbolising the intersection of mathematics with spirituality and cosmic understanding.

Panellists also highlighted how mathematics was deeply embedded in daily life, from financial literacy and architectural design to sports statistics and traffic systems. Emphasis was laid on using real-life problem-solving to bridge the gap between classroom theory and practical applications.

The conversation on AI revealed how foundational math principles powered modern technologies. The panel encouraged educators to leverage AI-driven tools such as Gamified learning platforms, adaptive assessments and interactive visualisations to make math more engaging and personalised.

The event concluded with an interactive question and answer session, wherein educators actively participated by posing insightful questions and sharing their classroom experiences, making the conference a vibrant exchange of ideas.