About a month ago, three friends joined hands and founded Mango Education, an academy that offers after-school programmes in the field of science and computer coding. “Schools do not emphasise on computer coding and science. Through our programmes, we are introducing the kids to various concepts like watching the night sky, and computer coding while they are young. In a nutshell, through our academy, we are making up for what the schools are missing out on,” Arumugham S., one of the co-founders of Mango Education, says.

Last week, the academy took a group of 12 kids on a field trip to the Regional Science Centre. The kids, who were all between 11 and 17 years old, were introduced to various concepts of science. For many of them it was their first visit to the planetarium. “In the past, the three of us had trained students of the primary school level, in the various aspects of science and computer science. We have worked with NGOs too in our city. With the intention of reaching out to many more school kids, we have come together and have formally launched our afterschool academy,” Arumugham adds.

On August 12, Mango Education has planned a night out for kids. The event will begin from 6 pm on August 12 and conclude the following morning, on August 13, at 6 am. Kids who are between 11 and 17 years can enrol for this dusk to dawn event. Parents will also be allowed to accompany their children.

This programme will begin with a movie on astronomy, for children, followed by a discussion about the film. Also on the cards is planet gazing for the participating kids. The organizers will allow the kids to look at the night sky with telescopes. The kids will be taught about things including the different types of stars and planetary positions, among others.

Prior to the programme, the kids will be trained on how to stay awake all night. Arumugham shares with us that once the kids register for this programme, they will be instructed about the dos and don’ts.

Mango Education is the brain-child of Obuli Chandran, Arumugham S, and Sivaprasad Velayudhan. The three have formally been educated in either science or computer science. From next month onwards, the academy will enrol students for their various afterschool programmes, like Young Astronomer, White Dwarf Kid Scientist, Super Giant Kid Scientist, KB Junior Developer programme, MB Game Developer programme, and GB App Developer programme.