Children’s University launches for first time in Alice Springs

Charles Darwin University (CDU) is expanding their Children’s University (CU) program to the Red Centre for the first time, set to launch in Alice Springs on May 12.

Children’s University at CDU has been running in Darwin since 2017. Due to its success and popularity within Darwin and Palmerston the program is expanding to support the children of Alice Springs.

The program coordinates voluntary learning opportunities for children aged seven to 14, through partnerships with local schools and organisations.

These organisations become accredited ‘Learning Destinations’ where Children’s University students accumulate hours of learning and receive stamps in their ‘Passport to Learning’ and at the end of each year a formal graduation ceremony marks their achievements.

As part of the pilot program in Alice Springs, 25 passports have been issued to local students from Yipirinya School.

Children’s University CDU Alice Springs Project Officer Mariann Reu said the launch of Children’s University in Alice Springs supports engaging learning opportunities for children in the Red Centre and ensures the program can be delivered across more locations in the Territory.

“The program focuses on nurturing successful, independent learners by promoting fun, open-ended learning, encouraging children to try out new activities, discover new passions and visit new places,” Ms Reu said.

“The focus is very much on the children having fun, while they are learning, which will help cultivate successful and independent learners.”

Ms Reu said these activities that children learn as a part of the initiative promote learning beyond the classroom have proven impact on a child’s future aspirations, confidence, school attendance and achievements in learning at school.

The activities that are part of the Children’s University can be linked to university learning and the Alice Springs program aims to launch Children’s University CDU Saturdays by Term 3 which would see students attending specialised courses at the Alice Springs Campus.

CDU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Students and VET Sam Jacob said CDU is delivering Children’s University in partnership with schools, parents and a range of organisations that will be providing exciting learning activities for children across Alice Springs.

“By providing fun and engaging learning actives outside the classroom students will get a taste of university life throughout the year and these experiences have proven impact on the future aspirations of a child,” Ms Jacob said.

“It creates opportunity for local young people to be involved in inspirational educational experiences, recognising their achievements, building self-motivated learners who are being encouraged to succeed no matter who they are where they live.”

To find out more about the Children’s University Charles Darwin Alice Springs program visit www.cdu.edu.au/childrens-university