Send them to Mars
Periyar Science and Technology Centre
Visiting hours: 10 a.m. to 5.45 p.m.
Phone: 2441 0025/2441 6751
If your child aspires to be an Einstein or a Newton, a star-gazer or math wizards, it makes sense to take him to the Science and Technology Centre located on Gandhi Mandapam Road, Kotturpuram. The Centre has introduced new programmes for children this summer. At the Ramanujam Gallery of Mathematics, a one-hour class covering the basics of the subject is taken every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (from 11 a.m.). The centre is also conducting science demonstrations every Saturday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. To make learning more interesting, shadow puppetry is being employed to teach science concepts to children. The programme is conducted every Saturday from 10.30 a.m. to 2.45 p.m. At the Planetarium, a 40-minute show on Mars Mission can be enjoyed till the end of June on all days.
Unique "coaching" experience
Regional Rail Museum, Perambur
Visiting hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday is holiday)
Phone: 26146306
If your child has a fascination for trains, take him/ her to Regional Rail Museum located on the premises of the Integral Coach Factory in Perambur. The Museum staff have recently added a fountain inside the premises and renovated the steam loco and Darjeeling steam loco. The Niligiris Mountain loco is placed outside to give visitors a better view. The tunnel has been painted with a splash of childfriendly colours and paintings of four new bridges have been added. There is lot more to explore. Make sure you do not leave without a ride on the toy train, which will do a round of the museum premises through a narrow gauge track.
Spot the birds
Adyar Poonga
Open: Tuesday and Thursday
from 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Phone: 2461 4523
If your child loves wildlife and environment, then take him/ her to the Adyar Poonga. The ecological park set up by the Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust at the Adyar Estuary is open to the public only during the vacation. Rest of the year, it encourages only school visits. Go with your family to spot the different species of birds and butterflies. There are many trees and shrubs with a dark green foliage. Over 150 woody species of trees, shrubs, lianas, epiphytes, herbs and tuberous species offer lessons in wetland conservation, eco-restoration and water management.
The top angle
Light House Technical Museum ,
Marina Beach
Open: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. (Monday holiday)
If your child has a fascination for sea and whatever goes with you, you know where to go. From the Light House, which is open six days a week till 5 p.m., one gets an arresting view of the sea and the city. The child can also visit the Light House Technical Museum which traces the evolution of light houses in India. Lighthouse equipment, ranging from vintage to the latest, are showcased here. A touch-screen kiosk provides technical details.
There are also images of the lighthouses in Chennai Lighthouse District, which includes Kilakkarai, Vilinjam, Dwarka Point, Muttam Point, Nagapattinam, Puducherry, and Mamallapuram.
