PI-RAHI launches ‘ChemAmaze’ to Revolutionise STEM Education with Game-Based Learning for Science Teachers in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, 17 August 2026: PU-IIT Ropar Regional Accelerator for Holistic Innovations Foundation (PI-RAHI), the Northern Region Science & Technology Cluster established under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, launched a ChemAmaze Workshop transformative two-day ‘ChemAmaze’ workshop today at the Seminar Hall, SAIF, Panjab University. The first day of the workshop is planned for TGT and second day for PGT teachers with the support of State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), U.T. Chandigarh.
ChemAmaze is a CSR initiative of BASF India, implemented by the Pune Knowledge Cluster (PKC), with game development supported by IIT-Madras. The ChemAmaze initiative directly addresses this challenge by shifting the learning paradigm from passive instruction to active, experiential engagement. It is a national repository of open-source educational games specifically designed and curated to enrich the learning experience for students and empower school teachers to engaging offline and digital games, in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020. The initiative aims to complement traditional teaching methods with gamified, curriculum-matched learning, making Science joyful and accessible for every student.The ChemAmaze workshop is part of PI-RAHI's broader mandate to strengthen STEM education across Northern India through innovation-driven interventions, institutional partnerships, and community engagement.
The event was graced by Dr. Surender Singh Dahiya, Director, SCERT Chandigarh, as Chief Guest, who stressed on the introduction of technology in Science education is school to promote critical thinking among students. The programme was also addressed by Prof. Rajat Sandhir, Director, PI-RAHI who emphasised on that by replacing rote learning with interactive experimentation, gamification empowers students to master complex scientific concepts through curiosity and trial.Ms. Ruchi Rai, Assistant Manager CSR & Advocacy, BASF India said that this initiative promotes interactive, game-based teaching to make chemistry and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields accessible and engaging for students, especially within rural and tribal communities. The event was graced by Dr. Jatinder Kaur Arora, Adviser, PI-RAHI; Dr.AvinashKumbhar, CEO, Pune Knowledge Cluster; and Ms. Neha Arora, Chief Operating Officer, PI-RAHI and team members from PI-RAHI and PKC.
Participants explored hands-on Chemistry activities in an offline setting and learnt to design their own educational games using free, open-source digital tools. In a remarkable reflection of the programme's impact, 10–20 teachers designed their own games on the spot during the session- a testament to the enthusiasm and creative potential unlocked by ChemAmaze's approach.Over 100 TGT teachers from government and government-aided schools across Chandigarh participated enthusiastically on Day 1 and 70 plus PGT teachers are expected to participate in day 2 of the event.