With an aim to illuminate Diwali with environment-friendly self-made decorations that also teaches some lessons of Mathematics, the Centre for Creative Learning (CCL) at IITGN has launched a ‘20-20 lamps’ series. As a part of this video series, which was launched on the day of Dussehra and would continue for 20 days up to Diwali, every day the CCL team would release a video on its YouTube channel on how to make a new paper lamp that is based on one of the Mathematical concepts.

This offering from CCL, IITGN originated during one of the episodes of the immensely popular 3030 STEM program, a live Sunday weekly YouTube series to make Mathematics and Science engaging by creating a sense of wonder from everyday life. 3030 STEM has attracted around 4 lakh registered users with more than 15 lakh views.

These easy to make DIY paper lamps are exclusively designed by the Center of Creative Learning team at IITGN, and look extremely beautiful. In these videos, CCL team not only describes the procedure to make these lamps but also explains the math behind them for those who are interested in learning about platonic and Archimedean solids like Tetrahedron, Octahedron, Cube, Dodecahedron, and so on. Moreover, this creative activity also gives a chance to spend time together as a family to celebrate the festivals.

People are already loving the concept by CCL and exploring their creative sides with a touch of Mathematics. Sharing his feedback, one of the viewers, Ms Ruchi Rai, said, “This programme is going to be the light of life for us. Thank you so much for every motivational and inspiring session and videos.

Another viewer Ms Anu Thapliyal said, “Beautiful, thank you for sharing. Now our students will also be able to make these lamps for Diwali. We are waiting for other videos.

All the videos are available on CCL’s YouTube channel.

In these difficult times, ‘20-20 Lamps’ is a great way for the whole family to sit together and get creative. These lamps serve the dual purpose of learning and family bonding. The math behind them is interesting, and the material required to make it is minimal, only a chart paper and glue/lahi/stapler. There is no use of plastic, so it encourages celebrating the festivals with environment-friendly decorations. It also takes forward the ideas of ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Make in India’.

Manish Jain

Associate Teaching Professor, CCL, IITGN

The paper lamps with Mathematical concepts

A lamp made by one of the viewers

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