Celebrating a decade of commitment to children with hands-on workshops, interactive learning and performances
The University of Wollongong (UOW) welcomed children, their adults and community members to the Festival of Play at the Early Start Discovery Space on Monday, 4 August, celebrating Early Start's 10th anniversary.
"Early Start began as a bold experiment – uniting research, play and community in a way unprecedented in Australia. Today, we proudly celebrate its first 10 years, and its impact in shaping policy and delivering real outcomes for children, their families, and communities," UOW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor G.Q. Max Lu said.
The Festival of Play offered a diverse program of interactive experiences, workshops, and performances designed for children from birth to 10. Visitors experienced engaging research-informed programs and workshops, including unique experiences from AT_Culture, UOW Science Space, WollCon and Milk Crate Circus.
"The Festival of Play marks a decade of our commitment to fostering children's learning and development through play," Early Start Research Director Professor Lisa Kervin AM said. "It reflects the strong partnership between researchers and professional staff at Early Start, with all Discovery Space experiences and programs grounded in evidence and designed to support children's curiosity, creativity and connection."
"The Festival of Play captured how the Discovery Space continues to offer experiences that are enriching, research-informed and responsive to community needs, ensuring meaningful impact for children and their adults," Manager of Early Start Operations Josef English said.
Early Start's Discovery Space welcomes thousands of visiting families each year. A team of researchers are tracking over 600 former members through the "Where are they now" study. These past members, now mostly teenagers, have shared how play and engagement at Discovery Space has shaped their development. The research will guide the design of future programs and experiences and show what has mattered to members over the years.
Early Start Research Director Professor Lisa Kervin AM said: "It has been such a privilege reconnecting with these families through survey and focus groups."
The Early Start Discovery Space is the first dedicated children's museum in the world based on a university campus and is designed to allow children to take control and share their imagination and creativity with others.
