IIT Guwahati Students Create Hands-On Math Activity for High School

DISHA, IIT Guwahati's education outreach programme, took school kids out of the classroom and turned a chapter on trigonometry turned into a hands-on exercise in measuring a real building

DISHA, the student-led educational outreach initiative at IIT Guwahati, organised an interactive Fun & Learn activity titled "Playing Trigonometry" for local school students of Classes VIII , IX and X on 23rd August 2026. The workshop set young learners a tangible task: calculating the height of a campus building using basic instruments and mathematical principles.

From Theory to Field Measurement

To bring this philosophy to life for Classes IX and X, Manoj Mohite, an MSc Physics student and mathematics tutor at DISHA, designed the "Playing Trigonometry" workshop.

Manoj began the session in the classroom with a custom animation video that explained the core mathematical logic, and followed it up with an interactive blackboard briefing.

The students — curious and eager — were divided into four collaborative teams of five. Armed with their classroom learning, activity sheets and measurement tools, including lasers and protractors to measure angles of elevation, the teams then headed out to the field.

Under the guidance of DISHA volunteers, students took on active, specialised roles within their groups:

• Distance Tracking: Measuring the baseline horizontal distance from the building

• Angle Measurement: Aligning laser pointers and recording angles of elevation using protractors

• Data Recording: Systematically documenting field readings on activity sheets

The Impact of Collaboration

Back in the classroom, teams used calculators to process their field data using trigonometric ratios. While some worked out the building's height with ease, others found their way through initial hurdles by observing their peers and seeking guidance from volunteers. This collaborative atmosphere turned the problem-solving phase into a shared triumph, with every student successfully completing their calculations.

The core objective was never just about calculating a building's height — it was about kindling a thirst for knowledge, nurturing curious minds, and guiding young learners to keep exploring.

About DISHA: Hold Their Hands, Give Them Direction

DISHA is a long-standing student-led initiative that conducts Mathematics and English classes for first-generation learners in the villages around IIT Guwahati.

Run by over 20 volunteers, Disha is driven by the belief that learning should not be based on rote memorisation. Volunteers at DISHA focuses on building a strong foundation in core concepts and fundamental principles — equipping students with knowledge they can apply well beyond their textbooks.

DISHA has supported over 50 students across its active years and now mentors more than 70. Through friendly conversations, interactive discussions and practical, fun-based learning, the initiative addresses learning challenges at their root, nurturing conceptual clarity and lasting confidence.

DISHA classess are conducted every weekend at the premises of Kendriya Vidyalaya, IIT Guwahati.

Acknowledgements: The success of this practical learning experience was made possible with the support of Dr. Srinivasan Krishnaswamy (Faculty Advisor, DISHA) and all DISHA Volunteers. The activity depended on their dedicated support in mentoring student teams, managing field logistics and facilitating group discussions.

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