We have had to hold a good number of virtual assemblies with schools.
Not being able to visit the school, meet the children and understand more about what activities they love to do and what they would like to try has made it a little more tricky.
In one of our CU schools an "experienced" learner joined me on a zoom call, sitting in his Head Teachers office, and shared with the rest of the school, he thoughts and encouragement for them to get involved.
This is what he hold them:
"I love children's university for lots of reasons. It has helped me to take part in a lot of activities that I would not normally do. I have also been able to visit many places I did not know about until I took part in children's university. When we go to museums there are many different activities we can do. I went to Tide Mill in Woodbridge and was able to start the wheel to start the mill working. It was hard and used all my muscles but it was great fun.
I have also completed lots of reading challenges which make up my hours. One of my favourite things to do is the science experiments. I learnt how to drop an egg into cup without it breaking, I have made my own lava lamp and put pencils through a bag of water and stayed dry.
Some of my favourite activities are on animals. I use my passports at lots of zoo’s. There are different tasks sheets you can do on the way round and you find out some cool stuff about the animals. You can also do workshops at pets at home where they get all the animals out and you get to play with them. I have also done the 30 days wild challenges and bird watching and got some more hours.
I love doing the outdoor activities. I have been on lots of scavenger hunts, but also the glow trail and UFO trail in the local forests. I do lots of the activity tasks at home, especially when we were on lockdown. It helped to keep me busy.
When I go on holiday I also take my passport as I can use it in different places. There are lots of museums that I have been to because I saw them on the children's university activity list.
I have collected lots of hours for activities that I would complete anyway. I have been awarded hours for coming to football club and sports clubs. Also for completing my mathletics at home. But also for things I enjoy doing. I did the high rope course through the forest and got some more hours.
I also got to be part of a world record attempt because of children's university. During lockdown I was able to take part in an online art lesson as part of draw with Rob to be part of the world's largest ever art lesson online.
I have been able to get other awards through children's university as well. I got my Arts Award as part of this. I was awarded my certificate at my last graduation.
I have now been to 2 graduation ceremonies. I love the graduations, you get to wear a proper gown and hat. I like collecting my certificates and awards at the graduations but the best bit is throwing our hats at the end.