How to incorporate Indian science , discoveries and scientists into school teaching in order to foster an identity of a scientific culture and nation in our children.

1. Indian Science for IB curriculum
Rudrasen Sitoleh
August 12 , 2013

2. Agenda
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What & Why this is important
Incorporating it into our curriculum
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PYP approach
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MYP approach
Q&A

3. Indian Science within the IB framework
A small proposal for all you respected teachers &
facilitators
1. In concrete form of this book , as a curriculum aid
2. possible approaches to incorporate Indian science
specifically :
For PYP within the subject areas and themes
for MYP within the areas of interaction,

4. What is an IB education?
The IB aspires to help schools develop well-rounded students with
character who respond to challenges with optimism and an open
mind, are confident in their own identities, make ethical
decisions,
join with others in celebrating our common humanity
and are prepared to apply what they learn in real-world, complex and
unpredictable situations.”

5. “are confident in their own identities”
Can I create,discover
or invent If I came
from place where we
always mimic or play
catch up ?

6. “join with others in celebrating our common humanity”
How can I lead if I do
not know who I am
and what i stand for ?

7. Internationally minded
We cannot be internationally minded if don’t know who we
are ?
one cannot excel on a borrowed or weak identity

8. Knowledge age

9. Our Heritage and Lineage
India has and will continue to give birth to not only to sages, philosophers, poets and artists,
but also scientist, inventors and thought leaders who will shape human thinking and progress.
The word “Bharat” means a person/nation immersed in knowledge, in modern terms “Knowledge
Society”

10. Our Heritage and Lineage
India has the knowledge, But is India conscious of the knowledge?
Making ourselves and our children conscious of this knowledge heritage is required.
Out of this awareness will emerge self belief and confidence.
We now have unprecedented opportunity in education due to IB education

11. How can we do it?
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I would like to suggest few ways to incorporate this into our curriculum and instruction?
Examples are high level and need to be refined.
You guidance and feedback is critical
PYP Approach : use themes to introduce Indian science and scientists
MYP Approach : use “Human Ingenuity” interaction for student to explore the scientific
contribution of India

12. PYP: 6 transdisciplinary themes
Who we are
An inquiry into the nature of the self;
beliefs and values; personal,
physical, mental, social and spiritual
health; human relationships
including families, friends,
communities and cultures;
What is it mean to be indian.
Where we are in place and time
An inquiry into orientation in place
and time; personal histories; homes
and journeys; the discoveries,
explorations and migrations of
humankind; the relationships
between and the
interconnectedness of individuals
and civilizations, from local and
global perspectives.

13. Theme: Who we are?
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Students need to be aware of the impact their own
culture has had on world of science.
If a non-indian scientist is attributed with the discovery
or invention and if there is indian scientist and thinker
who have arrived the same truth or discovery
independently.
Mention him/her with dates and specific source text
reference

14. Theme:
Where we are in place and time?
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When covering a concept/theory where applicable,
mention the corresponding indian contribution
( theory/person) this reinforces the idea how India has
participated in scientific endeavours.
Discuss the historical as well as contemporary Indian
personalities for the corresponding discipline

15. Theme: How the world works
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PYP Class V B is doing an inquiry on energy
Central idea: Energy may be converted from one form
to another and stored in various ways.
section 12.5 of Pride of India mentions Generation of
Electricity in Cell
Teachers can discuss the means and methods of how
this was done.
In this case how chemical energy was converted into
electrical energy.
Also mention the source Agastya Samhita ( 14th
century AD)

16. IB MYP : Approach
For MYP we use the
area of interaction
“Human Ingenuity” for
student to explore the
Indian science

17. MYP AoI : Human Ingenuity
Human ingenuity deals with
the way in which human minds
have influenced the world and
considers the consequences
of human thought and action.
Why and how do we create?
What are the consequences?
This area of interaction allows students to explore in multiple ways the
processes and products of human creativity, and to consider their impact on
society and the mind.

18. Human Ingenuity :Bhaskaracharya
Bhāskara II (1114–1185), was an Indian mathematician and astronomer. He
was born near Bijapur and lived in Jalgaon. And was the first to use zero in
its current form and also gave zero its current symbol as his sign.
Mathematics Treatise : Lilavati (लीलावती) : The book covered arithmetical
terms, arithmetical and geometrical progressions, geometry, value of pi as
22/7, the largest number is the parardha equal to one hundred thousand
billion
A Persian translation was commissioned in 1587 by Emperor Akbar
The word algebra comes from the Arabic language (‫ الجبر‬al-jabr
"restoration") and much of its methods from Arabic/Islamic mathematics.
François Viète's work at the close of the 16th century marks the start of the
classical discipline of algebra.
Bhāskara's work on calculus predates Newton and Leibniz by over half a
millennium. 500 years!
Wikipedia research and stitching together dates and historical events will
reveal how Indian algebra influenced the arabs and subsequently Europe.
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19. Human Ingenuity: Critical thinking
human ingenuity goes beyond the act of creation alone, leading students to
examine, experience and reflect on the creative process.
If Bhaskara II was astronomer and
mathematician Then do we still have
astronomer mathematicians?
if we are so brilliant are they mathematician
who are still living ?
Could Indian calculus have influenced
european scientific advancement?
Does India still produce mathematical
geniuses?

20. Self Concept & Self limiting belief
Do you know any leader , creative , genius who had poor or borrowed identity?
Leadership is always about self esteem and self identity

21. Global Citizen
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Obsolescence of parental aspiration
Kiran Bedi comment about who fill the human need 20 years from today?
we have the human potential and power to generate thought leaders, inventors and creatives.
I would add that each child are our beacons.
Learning is the skill for the 21st century.

22. Approach
Conceptual Understanding
Development of Skills
The holistic Approach
Focus on Creative Thinking
Focus on Critical Thinking

23. Thank you
Q&A?