The Edugraph Card Stacking Workshop Summer Edition Brings Hands-On Learning to Life!

The month-long excitement of The Telegraph Online Edugraph Workshops: Summer Edition series recently came to an end. The objective of the workshops was to offer students a chance to develop real-world skills in an easy to learn manner and help them prepare for the future. Running from May 18 to June 11, 2024, the dynamic series was filled with engaging and enjoyable activities. Held at the prestigious Sri Sri Academy in Kolkata, these workshops invited children aged 8 to 18 years to discover and learn new skills in an immersive environment!

A standout in the series was the three-day card stacking workshop, Towering Creations: The Art of Card Stacking held from June 6 to 8, 2024. This workshop, designed for children aged 8 to 18, was led by Guinness World Record holder Arnav Daga. The participants were introduced to the art of card stacking, learning how to create simple structures and pyramids with playing cards and focusing on balance. They also mastered various techniques such as the pyramid, grid, and pipe column, while also receiving guidance on constructing larger, more complex structures.

Arnav Daga, a rising star in the field of card stacking, led the workshop. Renowned for his ability to balance playing cards into intricate structures without glue, tape or tricks, Arnav brings years of experience and honing to his craft. His journey, which began at the age of 8, evolved from a hobby into a lifelong passion over time. Thus far in his career, Arnav has set numerous national and international records, earning the prestigious Guinness World Record for constructing the largest playing card structure. So it was our honour to acknowledge his outstanding talent with The Telegraph Online Edugràph 18 under 18 Award in 2023.

At the workshop the young participants provided with:

• Introduction to Card Stacking: They were led into the fascinating world of card stacking.
• Basic Structures: They were taught how to create simple structures and pyramids using playing cards, while focusing on the essential skill of balancing.
• Techniques: Various techniques such as the pyramid, grid, and pipe column were taught to the participants with step-by-step instructions on how to execute each method effectively.
• Stacking Larger Structures: They also received guidance on the process of stacking larger and more complex structures.

Arnav passionately believes that card stacking nurtures creativity, enhances motor skills, and cultivates patience. Through this workshop, he aimed to inspire individuals of all ages to explore this engaging hobby, offering a wholesome alternative to digital distractions.

Reflecting on the workshop, Arnav shared, “The art of card-stacking is not very popular. So it was important that The Telegraph Online Edugraph provided the platform for me to teach card-stacking to the kids. The kids who came here really enjoyed it and it was extremely fascinating and a fun experience to teach them. Sure, they got to learn the art of card-stacking, but I got to learn a lot from them too. The way they were coming up, the curiosity with which they were willing to learn something new was what I found most impressive. The fact that they were not getting irritated the moment the cards were falling, they were just curious and tried even harder. That’s the true sign of a card-stacker. I’m absolutely amazed to see the confidence, the patience, and moreover the curiosity with which the kids came up. It was a fun experience totally!”

The young participants we spotted at the workshop were extremely enthusiastic about it. One of them said, "I never thought I could build something so intricate with just playing cards. It was so exciting to see my structure stand tall!" Another quickly added, "Every time my cards fell, I felt more determined to get it right. It was so much fun, and I learned a lot about perseverance."

Therefore, it may well be said that The Telegraph Online Edugraph, through its vast array of experiential workshops this summer 2024, succeeded in providing young students with a beacon of innovative learning, offering them unique opportunities to grow and excel in various fields. With an activity like card stacking, children not only learned new skills but also gained valuable life lessons that will stay with them for years to come!