Students escape into technology

Published: 14 August 2011
By: Robin Williams

Learning with fun: (From left) Bridget McHugh, Sophie Bright and Sophie Raftery, of St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Bardon, were among the 190 delegates attending the annual Kids Connect at Brisbane Powerhouse Pictures: Robin Williams

THIS year's Kids Connect Conference in Brisbane lived up to its promise to provide an "Esc" (escape) from the classroom.

The annual conference was held at the Brisbane Powerhouse from July 27-28 and attracted almost 200 students from more than 20 primary schools, the majority Catholic.

The two-day technology-based conference run by school children for school children was billed by this year's hosts - Year 7 students from St Thomas' Catholic Primary School, Camp Hill - as a chance to "Esc from the classroom and Enter into a world of alternative thinking @ Kids Connect 2011- Ctrl Alt Create".

The students said this year's theme of "Ctrl Alt Create" was chosen by organisers as they believed it encompassed the defining characteristics of Kids Connect.

"Kids Connect teaches kids to empower themselves and take control of their own learning," they said.

"'Alt' stands for altering, change and the act of alternative thinking.

"'Create' represents the creative element involved in participating in the technology workshops."

Delegates participated in a number of "breakout activities", where they took their own professional photographs, designed their own comic books, constructed their own robot and manipulated an iPod touch for their own creative purposes.

The completed projects were delivered to their peers, parents and supporters during a special evening presentation that concluded the 2011 event on July 28.

Those taking part believed the two-day event had improved their technological skills and understanding.

Bridget McHugh, Sophie Bright and Sophie Raftery, from St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Bardon, said that, following the two-day event, they had a better understanding of software and how to create songs, movies and videos that they would be able to share with fellow students.

"I learnt how to stick your head on to dancing, moving people and move different objects," Sophie Bright said.

For the Year 7 students at St Thomas', the months leading up to Kids Connects provided a steep learning curve.

Students were allocated to various departments responsible for organising all aspects of the event from arranging facilitators, equipment and catering to technical support and publicity.

Gabrielle Dallas, part of the public relations department, was one of four students responsible for sourcing items for and putting together about 250 gift bags. She said she had learnt a lot during the months of planning.

"The bags went to all attending facilitators delegates and teacher delegates," she said.

Lilli Coogans-Sorby, from the same department, said she learnt much about public relations.

"I did a lot of media," she said.

"I made a media release that I sent to lots of radio stations and newspapers and I've learnt heaps of organisation skills because it was really hard to keep track of who you'd sent things to and who you had to send things to. So (I was) filing emails and stuff like that."

Claire, from the treasury department, said this year's Kids Connect was an awesome conference.

"We received many emails from delegates who couldn't wait to get started on their projects," she said.

"Ultimately, Kids Connect will be a phenomenal event that will be remembered by all who attended."

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