Jeetesh Gulani, STEM Learning expert specializing in curriculum, explains how Interdisciplinary learning breaks down the walls between subjects, offering students a broader and more connected view of knowledge. It encourages them to think critically and explore how different concepts relate. This makes lessons more engaging and fosters long-term understanding.
I, with a deep passion for innovative education design, continuously explore ways to break down traditional subject silos. My goal is to create interactive and meaningful learning experiences that truly engage students and prepare them for real-world challenges. I want to explain what is Interdisciplinary Curriculum. Interdisciplinary learning excites me because it changes how education is experienced. Imagine this, what if every lesson were not just a collection of isolated facts but a fascinating story, where history, science, math, and more come together in one seamless, connected narrative.
This is not just a new teaching style; as a matter of fact, oral teaching of old followed this exact format. It is a powerful way to spark real curiosity and help students retain what they learn. When knowledge is wrapped in stories, it sticks with us far longer than dry, disconnected facts. Most classrooms today are built around separate subjects, teaching each in its own bubble. I have seen how this siloed structure leaves students puzzled when they reach high school or college.
That is when they suddenly have to connect the dots on their own. Without prior training, this can be difficult. So I believe curriculum design must integrate two, three, or even four subjects into a cohesive experience early on. This approach helps students see relevance clearly. It pulls them in and invites them to think critically about how different ideas fit together.
Example to bring It alive
Let me share an example that vividly illustrates this point. You may remember learning about the thermite reaction, a chemical process where iron oxide and aluminum combine to produce molten iron and aluminum oxide. It is an exothermic, or heat-producing, reaction that is fairly common in chemistry class.
Separately, you might remember learning about World War II and the devastating nuclear bombs that ended it. But how often do we connect these two things? The truth is, the thermite reaction played a vital role during the war. It was used to disable German artillery during the Normandy invasion, which helped the Allied forces make progress.
Most students never realize the connection because science and history are taught separately. But when they are taught together, suddenly chemistry becomes more than just a formula. It becomes a story with life, drama, and meaning. It shifts from abstraction to something memorable.
Here is another example
The Gustav Gun
This was an immense piece of German engineering, so massive that it required thousands of people just to move it along railway tracks. It could shell targets far beyond the range of other artillery. Now imagine if a single commando could airdrop on this weapon and disable it with a small pouch of thermite reaction ingredients, just rust and aluminum foil.
While historical records may not confirm that this tactic was ever used, the story itself sparks imagination. It brings science, history, and strategy to life. Learning this way makes concepts unforgettable. The best lessons are not about memorizing facts but about connecting dots and exploring how ideas shape the world.
Challenges to overcome
That said, moving to interdisciplinary learning is not without challenges. The biggest barrier is that our educational systems are still centered on standardized exams. These exams are designed around separate subjects and rarely accommodate integrated approaches.
Changing assessment methods overnight is unrealistic. However, we can start gradually. Introducing interdisciplinary projects alongside traditional evaluations allows us to experiment and gather evidence. Additionally, from the evidence that I have seen, albeit small in scale, Interdisciplinary learning and standardized testing can work hand-in-hand.
The National Education Policy, or NEP, paves the way for reform, but we must adapt policies locally and embrace incremental change.
Teachers need support to collaborate. When a chemistry teacher works with a history teacher to craft joint lessons, magic happens. Communities can contribute by inviting professionals like mechanics, software developers, and more to the classroom and connecting students to real-world applications.
Closing thoughts
What truly drives me is transforming education from rote memorization into a journey of discovery. Stories have a unique power to make learning stick. When students understand not just what they are learning but why it matters in the bigger picture, their curiosity awakens.
They no longer need to memorize but explore, imagine, and apply.
Interdisciplinary learning cultivates not only knowledge but also creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. These are essential qualities for success in our ever-changing world.
To me, education should inspire this kind of engagement. Making the connections clear, encouraging questions, and nurturing a sense of wonder.
This is what will transform classrooms and empower learners for life.
The speaker concludes saying that an interdisciplinary curriculum is more than a method. It is a mindset. One that can fundamentally reshape learning and prepare students to thrive in complexity and possibility.
Contact details
Jeetesh Gilani
Product Manager – Curriculum
E: jeetesh.iitkgp@gmail.com
M:8884184771