Key UC Contact
What We Did
Funding was secured through the Brian Mason Scientific and Technical Trust to develop a range of animal observation activities. The funding was used to purchase cameras that were installed in a range of animal enclosures at Orana Park and a GoPro that was set up at the Lincoln University Dairy Farm.
Orana Park created a live stream, where Te Mātāpuna Mātātahi | Children’s University (TMMCU) members could observe the animals and then complete an online observation activity. This resource is not only available to TMMCU members, but is also on the Orana Park website so the whole community can participate.
At Lincoln University the GoPro was set up to record the behaviour pattern of cows throughout the course of a number of days. This footage was sped up and edited to sit alongside a ‘Cow Cam’ activity developed by academics and has been made available to TMMCU members via the online portal. The footage will also be used by Lincoln University students and high school students working with the university.
The Online Portal is accessed by Children’s University members across Australasia, so the activities can be accessed by the thousands of tamariki in Australia participating in the programme. This is fantastic exposure for the organisations involved.
Who Was Involved
Orana Wildlife Park, Lincoln University, Brian Mason Scientific Trust, Children’s University Australasia.
Why It Matters
Equity and access to quality learning activities is a focus for the CU programme and not all of our members have the resources to access Learning Destinations like Orana Wildlife Park. This project allows tamariki to engage with a fun learning activity from the comfort of their home. It also played an important role during the lockdown when TMMCU members were unable to engage with local Learning Destinations during school holidays. This project was one of a range of strategies the TMMCU team developed to ensure members could still engage with the local community and accumulate hours of learning in their passports.
