Apollo Children's Science Park: Everything You Need To Know

In this article, we review Apollo Children’s Science Park, an engaging museum established by David Kimani. Located in Kamirithu, Limuru, the park showcases a unique collection of historical technology and scientific artefacts specifically designed for children.

The museum displays a variety of vintage gadgets, meteorological instruments, and geological specimens that date back over a century.

Apollo Children’s Science Park Museum

Apollo Children’s Science Park features an impressive collection of vintage technology that takes visitors on a journey through time. Kimani, a former primary school teacher, established the park six years ago to provide learners with the opportunity to experience the evolution of technology firsthand. The museum showcases a variety of items, including old cameras, televisions, computers, telephones, and more, dating back to 1912.

Among the most notable exhibits is the Speed Graphic camera from 1912, which is the oldest in Kimani’s collection. Over the years, the park has expanded to display generations of cameras, ranging from Brownie and film cameras to modern digital models. This collection serves as an excellent way for students and visitors to connect what they learn in school with real-world examples of photographic technology.

Apollo Science Park also boasts a rich array of television sets, including the oldest in the country, which dates back to the 1960s—an era when Kenya first introduced television. The park features models from the early black-and-white sets to contemporary flat-screen TVs. One of the museum’s standout pieces is a large, wooden-protected television set.

The park’s radio collection spans from the first radio broadcasts in Kenya in 1927 to modern-day FM radios. Kimani’s collection highlights how radio served as a crucial means of communication, especially during colonial times when broadcasts, including BBC news, were transmitted to the colonies. The museum also features early telephones, typewriters, printers, and gramophones, providing visitors with insight into the evolution of communication and technology over the years.

In addition to its technological exhibits, Apollo Science Park boasts an impressive collection of geological specimens. Kimani has gathered rocks and minerals from various regions of Kenya, including coal, copper, gemstones, rubies, and molten lava. The geological section offers a hands-on learning experience for students studying geography. As Kimani points out, while students learn about volcanic eruptions in the classroom, they seldom have the opportunity to see the actual rocks in person. This collection helps bridge that gap, providing a tactile and visual learning experience.

For those interested in meteorology, Apollo Science Park features a dedicated section on weather science. The park is equipped with wind vanes, rain gauges, and wind speed meters—tools used to measure and understand weather patterns. Visitors can explore these instruments and gain a deeper understanding of the science behind weather forecasting.

Kimani has cultivated cash crops such as sisal, coffee, tea, and cotton in a designated area of the park. This allows students to engage in hands-on agricultural studies. This agricultural section enhances the museum’s other exhibits, providing a comprehensive educational experience.

Since its opening, Apollo Science Park has become a popular destination for school groups, particularly for primary and secondary students interested in information technology, computer science, and geography. Kimani established the park after recognising that Kenya lacked a venue where students could explore science and technology while learning history through observation. His vision has proven successful, as the park is now an invaluable resource for students, especially in light of the government’s shift towards a competency-based curriculum.

Apollo Science Park is open to students during holidays, weekends, and school field trips, making it an accessible and enriching destination for curious minds.