Ready for it? Free ‘Popstars’ session at QUT for under 10s

The session will run from 3.30pm to 5pm, with about 20 places still available.

Associate Professor Chris Chalmers teaches design and digital technologies education to QUT's education students - Queensland's teachers of the future.

She also researches children's use of technology.

"We hold regular Stay and Play sessions at our Children's Technology Centre which provide a free opportunity for hands-on experiences that encourage learning, play, and connection with other children and digital technologies," she said.

"Our session this month has a Popstars theme and will feature four activities - Dance Mania, Popstars Limbo, Microphone Mayhem and Lights, Camera Action, which is a photo booth.

"Children will have lots of fun using technology and equipment including a techno dance mat, instax cameras, and digital cameras, and creating dance videos with a green screen concert background."

Chris Chalmers researches children's use of technology.

Associate Professor Chalmers, who is with the QUT School of Teacher Education and Leadership, said the sessions had many benefits.

"The aim is to empower children to learn, play and connect with others by fostering a sense of curiosity and creativity, and by promoting positive learning experience with digital technologies," she said.

"As educators and researchers, these sessions also give us the chance to explore new ways of integrating technology into teaching practice.

"We want to help ensure children are not just passive consumers of technology, but active creators and problem solvers.

"By using digital technologies in a playful, interactive, and safe way, we can help children develop essential skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity - inspiring them to continue to explore and learn."

QUT researchers and lecturers from the QUT-led ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child will be on hand to guide the youngsters through the Popstars activities.

Parents and carers must remain on site during the session and are also encouraged to join in the fun.

'Stay and Play' sessions on a variety of themes are held regularly at the Children's Technology Centre to help young children explore the fundamentals of computational thinking and learn important problem-solving skills by engaging with digital resources such as green screens, VR headsets, and robots.

Session details are posted on the Digital Child website.

People interested in bringing their children along to the Popstars session can book online. Places are limited.

The Sphere at the QUT Education Precinct.

The Children's Technology Centre is located in QUT's beautiful Education Precinct - a five-story building fitted with technology-equipped teaching spaces and digital environments.

The building is also home to one of QUT's public attractions, The Sphere - a five-metre diameter LED globe suspended over two floors.

The Children's Technology Centre was created by QUT and the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child. It's one of three dedicated Digital Child physical spaces in Australia where children, researchers, parents and carers, and educators can collaborate, play, experiment and learn.

Photo credit: Main image at top of children singing by Katarzyna Bialasiewicz and iStock / Getty Images Plus.

QUT Media contacts:
- Mechelle McMahon, [email protected]
- After hours, 0407 585 901 or [email protected]

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