BITS Pilani, Goa Campus, in collaboration with the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE), Government of Goa, organised the “Toys for Biomechanics” teacher training workshop on October 26, bringing together 60 Science teachers from across Goa.
Supported by an IndiaBioscience outreach grant, the workshop introduced biomechanics through hands-on activities and kits that enabled teachers to assemble toys demonstrating scientific principles. The programme was led by Prof. Ganesh Bapat, Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering, with Anish Kakodkar, a PhD scholar working under Prof. Bapat and Co-Principal Investigator of the initiative, contributing alongside fellow PhD scholars to the planning and execution of the workshop.
The BIOMADE Lab researches gait biomechanics, prosthetics, orthotics, and assistive and rehabilitation technologies to improve mobility and quality of life.
Prof. Suman Kundu, Director of BITS Goa, inaugurated the workshop. Prof. Niyan Marchon and Prof. Mahesh Majik from DHE supported the organisation, while Bhushan K. Savaikar, Director of DHE, joined the closing session to felicitate teachers and distribute certificates. Teachers also visited the Biomechanics for Medical and Assistive Device Engineering (BIOMADE) Lab to explore research applications in healthcare, rehabilitation and potential career opportunities for students.
The workshop builds on BIOMADE Lab’s school outreach, which has introduced biomechanics through interactive activities to over 1,000 students from Classes VIII–XI across Goa. By equipping teachers with practical resources, the initiative aims to bring science closer to everyday life and inspire curiosity and scientific thinking among school students.
