On a quest for an ideal learning space

Thinking of enrolling your kid for an interesting hobby class or extra-curricular activity post school? If you can’t figure out what activity your child might enjoy or how to ensure a great learning atmosphere, try out the fun sessions at Quest. Located in a private two-storeyed house in Palavakkam, it opened its door for learning in August this year, and since then has generated much curiosity and registered fair amount of footfalls. Your kid can take sessions in cooking, baking, carpentry, weaving, reading, storytelling sessions and screening of nature documentaries.

Talking about the concept, Srikanth Chandrasekaran, founder of Quest says, “We intend to create a modern learning space that can facilitate learning. It is not limited to four walls and will include learners of all kinds. We want the learners to get to know things through a process of exploring, engaging and expressing. It is also an open forum for members of a neighbourhood or community to engage as facilitators or learners.” He says his ultimate objective is to showcase a model alternative learning space that can facilitate learning that is not restricted in any way by content or curriculum. Chandrasekaran also heads the not-forprofit trust, Altius Foundation, which works in the field of education. 

The centre recently held a session on playing board games with kids and this piqued our interest. So we ask, how exactly do these board games help in learning? “They help in logical thinking. We plan to start a club where kids can try out both traditional and popular ones. They can even try electronic construction kits that can lead to an exploration of robotics. We also had an aero-modelling session which got a massive response,” adds Chandrasekaran. The centre also boasts of audio-visual aids and a media room. They want to promote movies, online content and documentaries as a means of learning as well.

“Over the last two months, the response has been overwhelming. Lots of people have expressed a need for such spaces in neighbourhood. We also will be adding various sessions in theatre, coding, pottery and other things that involve life skills,” he concludes.