A JOURNEY OF LEARNING: MY EXPERIENCE AT THE SCIENCE-INTEGRAL WORKSHOP, DELHI ASHRAM

-Vaishanvi and Abinaya

It was an offer from Sanjeev Anna asking whether Abinaya and I were interested in attending the Science-Integral Workshop conducted by the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Delhi Branch. We didn’t know much about how it would be, but since, we both teach science to students; we felt it could be a great opportunity to gain new ideas. We hoped to discover ways to make our classes more engaging where students could learn through projects and activities rather than just listening to facts.

Our journey began on 24th September as we started from Pondicherry and reached Delhi on 26th September around midnight. Though we felt nervous while waiting for our cab from the ashram, the moment we arrived the Ashram, a sense of calm surrounded us. We received a warm welcome from Baren Bhaiya, which instantly made us feel like we were back at STEM Land.

The ashram followed a beautiful daily rhythm.
Our mornings began with yoga from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., led by Aparna and Priya a refreshing and energizing start to the day.

After breakfast, we joined Shramdaan (group work) from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m., which helped us build connections with others. Through this activity, we learned about different cultures, schools, and teaching practices while sharing our own experiences too.

The main workshop sessions ran from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by another session from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. These classes were truly inspiring! The facilitators demonstrated creative and practical ways to teach science concepts such as force, pressure, friction, electricity, light, the human body, and the solar system.

What made the workshop unique was how it connected science education with the integral development of a person- physical, vital, mental, and psychic.
At this point, we were reminded of The Mother’s words:

“The education of the body should begin at birth and continue throughout life. The perfection of the body depends on a sound, strong and beautiful body, a disciplined vital, and a calm and clear mind.”

These words perfectly expressed what we experienced education as a harmonious growth of all parts of our being.

Evenings were filled with joy and laughter as all the teachers, regardless of age, took part in sports and games. It felt wonderful to play freely like children again.

Later, we had meditation from 7 to 7:30 p.m., followed by dinner and a reflection session from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

During reflections, we had deep discussions about education, ashram life, and the unique approach followed in schools like Mirambika and Mother’s International School. On the final day, we went on a delightful city visit to Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, India Gate, and Akshardham Mandir. Each place left us amazed by its beauty and the stories behind its architecture

Conclusion

This workshop was different from any other. It not only focused on the subject but also on the teacher as a growing, learning individual. We realized that true education involves the physical, vital, mental, and psychic parts of one’s being.

We, teachers, are not just feeders of facts we are igniters of curiosity.

As The Mother beautifully said:

“The true teacher is one who helps the student to find the teacher within.”

This experience reminded us that teaching is not merely about giving knowledge but about awakening the spirit of exploration in our students and within ourselves.

Reflection:

My name is Vaishnavi. I stand for kindness, unity, and respect both for myself and for others.
During the workshop, I learned that true education has many aspects physical, vital, mental, and psychic and all of them need to work together for meaningful learning. Such education helps guide students on the right path toward their overall growth and well-being.
I sincerely thank the entire team for organizing this wonderful and delightful workshop and for providing us with the science kit, which we will surely use to make our classes more creative and joyful.

My name is Abinaya.K ,  I stand for kindness and happiness for myself and others. I attended a 10-days workshop on Integral Education in Delhi at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. It was an amazing experience. I learned new ways to teach science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to children using simple, visual, and hands-on methods. The workshop showed me how to make STEM subjects interesting by connecting them to real-life examples and experiments. These methods make learning easier, more fun, and help students understand concepts deeply.

I also did activities like yoga, meditation, and gardening. These helped me feel calm, focused, and more connected with myself. I learned how to observe carefully, be patient, and work with care.

The workshop also taught me about teamwork and collaboration. I worked with other teachers, shared ideas, and learned from each other. This helped me understand different perspectives and ways of teaching.

I also learned important life skills, like being disciplined, responsible, and persistent. The teachers inspired me to bring creativity, kindness, and mindfulness into my classroom.

Overall, the workshop was not just about teaching but also about personal growth. I feel more confident, motivated, and ready to make learning joyful and meaningful for children. It was an experience I will always remember and apply in my life.