The University of Adelaide

PRE-ACCESS ACCESS PARTICIPATION ATTAINMENT/TRANSITION

CHILDREN’S UNIVERSITY

DESCRIPTION

The University of Adelaide is the national license holder for the Children’s University program in Australia. Children’s University Australia (CUA) provides validated, extra-curricular learning opportunities for children aged 7–14 years, and volunteering opportunities for 15–18-year-olds.

CUA engages children in learning in the broadest sense, providing the scaffolding to develop self-efficacy, confidence and aspirations. There is a strong emphasis on exploration and experience as learning tools, with participants encouraged to pursue their passions. CUA is at the forefront in cultivating a love of learning and raising aspirations among young people who may otherwise be disengaged from education.

Partners: CUA currently partners with 117 schools and 137 ‘Learning Destinations’ across Australia, including many local councils, libraries and art galleries, and this continues to grow. Major partners include: • South Australian Museum • Zoos SA • Bunnings • WOMADelaide • Questacon — the National Science and Technology Centre • Mobile Science Education • Port Arthur Historic Site • Government House Tasmania • Bass Strait Maritime Centre • Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre • Hunter Medical Research Institute.

““ OBJECTIVES CUA offers superior educational experiences for young people through extra-curricular activities and recognises their achievements through the award of formal certificates and graduations. CUA encourages children to explore new running CUA activities, while developing leadership skills and graduate attributes. Older students can use this activity to count towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and the South Australian Certificate of Education. From 2016, CUA has also begun partnering with government and other organisations to provide opportunities for young people to students and their communities. A National Centre for Vocational Education Research report in 2016 noted that parents and teachers agreed that CUA was very positive for the school and community and that participants enjoyed school more, had improved self-confidence and had greater engagement with learning. CUA encourages children to explore new ideas, concepts and experiences via public or school-based ‘Learning Destinations’, engaging in a new way of learning that sits outside their normal school experience. – CUA coordinator ideas, concepts and experiences via public or school-based shadow senior state executives, opening their eyes to new

Learning Destinations, engaging in a new way of learning possibilities for their own futures. SUSTAINABLE IMPACTS that sits outside their normal school experience. CUA leverages local educational and learning activity providers including OUTCOMES CUA is already well-established in three states and expansion sports clubs, museums, galleries and school clubs, reinforcing into the remaining states is planned within the next few years. that learning is something that can happen in a wide range of CUA was launched at The University of Adelaide in 2013. It New schools and Learning Destinations are continually signing places and contexts. This is especially valuable in families and was piloted with one school, 45 participants and nine Learning up for the program and this growth is expected to continue to communities with a history of disengagement with education. Destinations. It is now operating nationally, partnering with grow exponentially. Though funded through the HEPPP, CUA the University of Tasmania, The University of Newcastle, also generates a small amount of income through sales of

ACTIVITIES AND PROGRESS and Charles Darwin University, with plans to expand further. memberships/passports and merchandise. This income goes Currently around 10,500 CUA Passports to Learning have back into the program to help provide transport and subsidise,

Activities take place in Learning Destinations which have been been issued and nearly 2,500 children have graduated. or otherwise reduce, costs of participation for low SES students. validated and quality-assured through the CUA accredited It is expected that CUA activities will continue to be funded

Planning for Learning program. Learning Destinations can Program evaluation through the HEPPP as a flagship outreach program for Adelaide range from a museum to a farm to an airport or even a and the partner universities. CUA is also seeking state funding, business, provided the activity connects with clear learning Partner Schools 1 philanthropic donations and corporate sponsorship to ensure outcomes and has credible links to future study opportunities. 117 diversity of funding and sustainability.

Participants are issued with a ‘Passport to Learning’ to record their learning journey. For every hour of activity, they receive a stamp in their passport. When they reach the hours needed to graduate from CUA, they participate in formal graduation Part of the effectiveness of CUA is that it disrupts normal ceremonies at high-profile locations like The University of assumptions about education and engagement, not just for

Adelaide’s Bonython Hall. In response to feedback from older participants but also for families and communities who are students a ‘Passport to Volunteering’ was created which able to see the value and impact for their children. Evaluations provides 15–18-year-olds with opportunities to assist with of CUA demonstrate the impact that the program has on

Partner Learning Destinations 9

137 2013 2017 “ “ CUA was very positive for the school and community ... Participants enjoyed school more, had improved self-confidence and had greater engagement with learning.

– CUA coordinator