The Kerala Science and Technology Museum was established in 1984 to promote a comprehensive understanding of science and technology. Its ten galleries display more than 300 exhibits related to various scientific and engineering disciplines including mathematics, automobiles, biomedical engineering, computer science, solar energy and electronics. The museum regularly organizes creative workshops for school children and interactions with the best minds in various scientific disciplines. The museum is run as an autonomous organisation by a governing body headed by the state education minister as its chairman and a director who oversees its day to day functioning.
The Electronics Gallery gives visitors a good idea of all the fundamentals related to electricity and its uses. The exhibits allow them to understand the discovery of electricity, its production from various energy sources and how it has helped advance the progress of mankind in all spheres. In the Mathematics Gallery children can learn the fundamentals of mathematics and absorb them through various puzzles and mental exercises. The Automobiles Gallery displays the working of various automobiles and their complexity. Visitors can learn about biochemistry through computerized animations in the Biomedical Engineering Gallery. The Computer Gallery gives a detailed account of the development of computers and their evolution in the last century. Some very old computers are also exhibited here. In the Solar Energy Gallery children can learn about the uses of solar energy and how it can be generated from the sun. The Space Gallery details the different wonders of space and the steps man has taken for its exploration.
The museum also houses a science park, a play park, an energy park, 3-D theatre, motion simulator, laserium, a mobile science exhibition unit, ham radio station, amphitheatre and library. The museum’s library is a repository of 3,000 books as well as journals on various scientific disciplines.
The museum organizes regular science awareness classes attended by school children in the city. Creative science workshops are also conducted by eminent faculty during the summer to develop local talent. Students get the opportunity to probe inquisitively into the depths of science quench their thirst for knowledge. At its EduSat terminal students can interact with professors in various disciplines at the Vigyan Prasar studio in Noida via the EduSat satellite.
The Priyadarshini Planetarium is attached to the museum and possesses an 11-inch telescope for night sky observation. It is a centrally air-conditioned domed theatre with a seating capacity of 181. Facilities for astrophotography are also available. Simulations of the night sky 12,500 years ago or into the future can also be done at the planetarium. Presently, a show ‘Two small pieces of glass” showcases the development of telescopes. Training in basic astronomy is also offered here with a six day certificate course.
Location: PMG Junction.
How to get there: In the heart of Thiruvananthapuram the museum is easily accessible by bus and auto. The closest landmark is Vikas Bhavan bus depot.
Timings: 10 am – 5 pm.
Entry Fee: Rs 15 for adults and Rs 10 for children.
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