Friday, 17 January 2025
The only way was up for the Children’s University program at ECU this year, with growth and expansion a key theme in 2024.
Demonstrating a huge commitment to education beyond the classroom and a passion for learning, 382 children from 18 Perth metropolitan and South West schools completed an astounding 29 331 hours of extracurricular learning in 2024.
Supported by a range of ECU Academics from the School of Education, Engineering, Business and Law, Medical Health and Science, Nursing and Midwifery and Science the children and their families were able to participate in 18 on campus school holiday workshops across the Mount Lawley, Joondalup and South West campuses. At these workshops, they experienced a wide variety of ECU course-related learning activities such as engineering and testing bridges, mock trials in ECU’s Moot Court as well as checking vital signs using nursing mannequins.
Over 450 members and their families enjoyed a range of CU@ Learning Destination events throughout the year, including events held at the Perth Zoo, Scitech, Bunnings and the Busselton Marine Discovery Centre.
Several significant milestones were reached in 2024, with now over 100 Learning Destination Partners onboard and the program's expansion into the South West. This included three new Partner Schools from the South West joining CU.
In November, 229 Perth CU members (77%) graduated at two ceremonies held at the Joondalup campus; this was the highest graduation rate to date. Each of these members achieved an average of a 120 hours of extracurricular learning which was celebrated by the CU community. ECU’s Children’s University team is excited to host the first South West CU graduation ceremony in Bunbury on Saturday, 22 February 2025 where the learning achievements of 31 south-west CU members will take centre stage and be celebrated the local community.
Many thanks to the Federal Government’s Higher Education Participation and Partnership Program, which has provided funding for the sustainability of Children’s University at ECU here in Perth. Also, thank you to the University Department of Rural Health (South West) for the generous funding to expand the program into the South West.
For more information about how to become involved with the Children’s University at ECU, contact childrensunivesrity@ecu.edu.au.