September 24, 2024

School kids get a taste of Uni at UOW Eurobodalla

Science experiments, art, sports, and history activities on offer during ‘Kids on Campus’ school holiday program

The University of Wollongong (UOW) Eurobodalla will throw open its doors and welcome primary school-aged students on Tuesday 1 October for the Kids on Campus school holiday program in Batemans Bay.  

Students will get the chance to participate in hands-on science experiments, channel their creativity through arts and crafts, get physical with sports activities and outdoor games, and explore Ancient Egypt through a series of activities based on pharaohs and pyramids. 

The full schedule of activities across the day covers the subject areas of STEM, Humanities and Creative Arts. 

Program organiser and UOW Eurobodalla Campus Services Officer Kiara Astbury said the program is designed to foster the inquisitive and curious minds of children with a series of activities that are not offered elsewhere in the local community. 

“The program is designed to be really fun. The activities complement the school curriculum, but also extend on it. We have looked outside of the curriculum to allow students to engage in interest areas that are not usually covered at school,” Ms Astbury said. 

“Often the school holiday programs that are running in the Eurobodalla are always fully booked with a long wait list for families that need somewhere for their kids to go. This gives families an option for a one-day program that is cheaper than some of the more expensive ones out there. 

“The key is getting the students amongst it, doing the experiments, making the artworks, running around and meeting lots of new students that they would not usually meet.”  

The program is back for its second year after selling out in 2023. This year, 50 primary school-aged children will be divided into small groups of a maximum of 20 with two UOW mentors for each group. 

^{Students complete a range of activities and experiments during Kids on Campus 2023 at UOW Eurobodalla. Photos: supplied}

Kids on Campus draws on the expertise and talent from UOW Eurobodalla Campus. The facilitators are also UOW students who are looking to share their passions while gain a unique teaching experience.  

“We employ our students to facilitate the learning activities. We try and get as many of our Master of Teaching students as possible to inform the program. It is a paid opportunity for them. Giving them a taster of what it is like to run a classroom and manage behaviours,” Ms Astbury said.  

“It is also a good mentoring opportunity. Which we know is very beneficial for inspiring students and building aspirations in education.” 

An avid history student herself, Ms Astbury is currently completing her honours in history at UOW and said the Kids on Campus program is unique as it leverages subject areas that students have an interest in but may not get the opportunity to learn about otherwise.   

“I am excited to let the students see all the fun and crazy things in Ancient Egypt. Getting them building pyramids, learning about pharaohs, listening to songs. It is about letting them see the grand exciting things. Letting the history do the talking,” Ms Astbury said. 

Master of Teaching student Lachlan Congram, who will be a facilitator again this year, said the initiative is important as it allows the children to engage with the university environment in a meaningful way. 

“It provides a unique opportunity for university students to interact with younger generations, helping to shape positive learning environments,” Mr Congram said.  

“This interaction not only benefits the children but also gives the university students valuable teaching and mentoring experience. 

“Kids on Campus is different from teaching in a classroom, you do not have the same amount of time to get to learn about the students. It is a fast-paced environment that focuses on hands-on learning and teaching. As a teacher, you learn different teaching strategies to hold student engagement and participation.”  

The Kids on Campus program of activities will run from 9am – 3:45pm, with supervision for drop off and pick-up between 8:30am – 5:30pm.  

Kids on Campus – UOW Eurobodalla  

When: Tuesday 1 October 

Time: 8:30am – 5:30pm 

Where: UOW Eurobodalla, Hanging Rock Pl, Batemans Bay NSW 

Cost: $60 per child  

Activities:  

• Science Exploration 

• Arts and Crafts  

• Sports and Outdoor Fun 

• Ancient Egypt 

Register for Kids on Campus here