Building minds and fuelling potential at inaugural Children’s University Discovery Day on Ōtehā campus

While the Wānanga Nohinohi Te Kunenga – Children’s University Discovery Day experience has seen marked success and growth on the Manawatū and Wellington campuses, this event was the programme’s first opportunity for local schools near the Ōtehā campus to kick off Term 3 with a fun-filled day at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University.

An enthusiastic group of 26 kids from Beach Haven Primary School and Tirimoana Primary, aged between seven and 10, enjoyed a packed day of engaging activities, a campus tour and the chance to earn valuable learning hours towards their qualifications.

The programme aims to broaden younger learners’ horizons beyond the classroom, exposing them to exciting possibilities for their futures.

Programme Manager and Ōtehā Coordinator Janet Van Jenkins says it was exciting to offer this experience to tamariki in Tāmaki Makaurau and witness their inspiration take root.

“It’s difficult to be what you can’t see, so our goal is for these kids to see themselves in a university setting and know these opportunities await them. For some of them, this was their first time meeting people who attended a university, and it was the first time visiting a tertiary campus for all. Seeing their enthusiasm for learning and watching their confidence grow is incredibly rewarding. We hope this experience lays the foundation for their future education and inspires a life-long love of learning.”

The day kicked off with a mihi whakatau conducted by Apirana and Te Ataakura Pewhairangi, followed by morning tea and the first set of activities hosted by the School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition. Ākonga participated in a cereal sugar relay, learnt about vitamin C content while making fruit kebabs, got creative trying to increase their step count on pedometers and explored careers in nutrition and sport and exercise.

Despite the unpredictable weather, the excitement couldn’t be dampened during the campus tour led by Future Students Associate Director Antoinette Vaha. The tour included a visit to the library, the accommodation halls and the lecture theatres, with the Trading Room being an unexpected hit, alongside the iconic chicken wing.

After lunch, the School of Built Environment took over with activities involving thermometers, lighting apparatus and LEGO blocks. Split into three groups, the kids enjoyed a light drawing session, designed LEGO houses while managing costs and learnt about indoor air quality for optimal learning environments.

The day concluded with stamping Passport to Learning books, jellybeans and fond farewells, leaving the children eager for their next visit to Massey. Before then, the tamariki will continue to earn learning hours in their Passport to Learning through completing various activities such as baking, volunteering, participating in a sport or visiting a museum. Once the students have earned over 30 hours, they are invited to don a cap and gown and attend a graduation ceremony to celebrate their achievements.

Reflecting on their favourite parts of the day, Eva from Tirimoana Primary enjoyed making and eating fruit kebabs the most, while Alex and Rhythem-Blue from Beach Haven Primary both agreed that they enjoyed their visit and looked forward to returning.

“It was a brilliant day, and I loved seeing the chicken wing! I’d like to come back,” Alex says, who expressed a keen desire to pursue a career in science.

“I definitely want to come to university – if I get good grades and I can, then I will,” Rhythem-Blue agrees.

Learn more about how to get involved with Children’s University here.