story by Kelly BrownCHILDREN’S UNIVERSITYfast facts...95Australian schoolsparticipate6507South Australianschools participate9000childrenare enrolled1875children have attendeda graduation ceremonyat Bonython HallInspiring thenext generationChildren's University students atBonython Hall for graduationPhoto by Scott GohSince 2013, the University of Adelaide has run Children’s UniversityAustralia to encourage the curiosity of schoolchildren through accessto di昀昀erent educational activities. A key aim is to demonstrate thatlearning can and should extend beyond the classroom.Based on the United Kingdom model,Children’s University Australiaoffers educational experiences forchildren aged 7–14 years and volunteeringopportunities for 15–18-year-olds outsideof school. The program recognises theirachievements by awarding certificates andthrough a formal graduation ceremonyat Bonython HallKiri Hagenus, Director of Children’sUniversity Adelaide and Children’sUniversity Australia, says that manychildren come from families who havenever attended tertiary education, so thisis their first contact with a university.“We aim to help students, and theirparents, realise that university studyis possible, practical and achievable,and raise their interest in highereducation,” she says.The program leverages local activityproviders, such as school and sportingclubs, museums and galleries, to delivereducational activities which place emphasison experience as a learning tool.“Children are encouraged to take on asmany varied experiences as they can, totry new things and discover new interestsand passions,” says Kiri.“For many young people the opportunityto be a part of a club outside of school orto visit a museum, art gallery, library or zoocan make a powerful difference to howthey understand, interpret and interactwith the world around them.”The program also opens children’sminds to different activities and how theycan be linked with areas of study andeventual career paths.“We make sure that a link is establishedbetween the experience and an areaof study at university,” says Kiri. “Forexample, a visit to a football clubcould be linked to courses in sportsengineering, physiotherapy, management,teaching or sciences.”An important part of the program isacknowledging achievement and thisis marked by a graduation ceremonyfor students and their families in theUniversity’s Bonython Hall. Dressed ingowns and with all the tradition of auniversity graduation ceremony, childrenstep onto the stage to receive theircertificates. The ceremony is followed by abarbeque and a celebration on the lawns.“The ceremony is one of the mostpowerful aspects of the Children’sUniversity initiative,” says Kiri.“It raises aspirations, opens upconversations about children’s futures andengages parents in the emotional momentthat inspires pride, confidence and anew sense of what is possible.”In 2016 more than 1000 studentsattended a graduation ceremony inBonython Hall as part of Children’sUniversity. It is hoped the experiencewill play a part in increasing theirambitions and inspiring furtheracademic achievement.To find out more aboutChildren’s University Adelaide, visitwww.adelaide.edu.au/childrensuniversityThe University of Adelaide | Alumni Magazine 7
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