Experiential science centre set up in Madurai

Madurai: Madurai corporation has established a modern science centre at Karimedu using Rs 2.5 crore funded by Ankuran Foundation of Pinnacle Infotech under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) scheme. Chief minister M K Stalin will inaugurate the centre on Saturday.The centre, located in the old fish market area, is primarily for Class VI to Class XII corporation school students. "The centre will offer a way for the students to visualise the concepts that they learn in schools and better understand them," said Prashant Kumar, head of Ankuran Science Centres.Equipped with modern facilities and tools, the centre has a physics, computer, biology and chemistry lab to aid the students. "The access is free for corporation school students. We are working with the corporation to organise routine visits of children to the centre," Kumar said. "Beyond school hours, the centre will also be open to private school students for a nominal fee."Ankuran Foundation is looking to hire tutors for the centre from Madurai and provide two weeks of training to teach students. "The centre will be fully operational within 15 to 20 days. For the first six months, we will focus on demonstrations for corporation schools. Once we find our footing and the hiring process is completed, we will open the centre to private school students as well," Kumar added.Ankuran Foundation has committed Rs 5 lakh a year towards the maintenance of the centre with the corporation stepping in to handle the water and electricity requirements for the centre.