Microsoft Store Sydney Helping our Tech Minded Kids


Way back in my high school years, the mid-late 90's, geez that's a while ago, we were asked the question How will you see computers impacting your life and careers? 
At the time IT based jobs were becoming big, internet startups were everywhere and it really was boom time. 
Fast forward 2 decades and I carry a small PC in my pocket and phone and link on my wrist. I use a PC every day for work, I draw on it, communicate and play. 
But where to from here? 
Well recent studies have confirmed that IT and computing is still a core want and belief of students.
Once again Microsoft is at the forefront and helping our little ones in these school holidays. 

Over the next week, if you're looking for something for your tech loving child to do, check out the below. 
I've done sessions with the Microsoft store with one of my little ones and she didn't stop talking about it for weeks. 

Be sure to check it out. 

Pat 

New research reveals Aussie students’ vision for the school of the future 


  • 6 out of 10 students hope to see IT and Computers as a core part of the school curriculum within the next 10 years 
  • 65% of school students said they have an interest in learning coding in school, with one in three students saying they haven’t had the opportunity to do this 
  • Over 50% of students consider Computers and IT to be the subjects most important to their future careers 

New research, commissioned by Microsoft Store Australia, has highlighted the growing student demand for tech-based tools and skills in school. The research reveals that Aussie kids are excited to learn via advanced technology and are prioritising STEM-based education to get themselves ready for the jobs of the future.  

Inspired by these findings, Microsoft Store has created a learning experience in store, offering students the chance to sample some of the subjects and teaching tools of the future through a series of workshops available in January. 

In the lead up to Australian students heading back to the classroom, the research reveals that 65 per cent of students aged 10-16 years old in Australia have an interest in learning more STEM focused skills, like coding in school, with one in three students saying they are not taught this currently. Further to this, the research showcases Aussie kids value STEM based subjects as the most relevant to their jobs in the future, prioritising Computers (61%), IT (63%) and Science (57%) over traditionally preferred subjects, such as P.E (45%), English (51%) and Music (44%).  

The research results also indicate that Aussie kids are excited about new learning tools and experiences in the classroom of the future. Twenty-one per cent of students say they would like more opportunities to learn outside of the physical classroom, forty-two per cent of students say they would like to interact more with classroom computers via touch screen, and twenty-seven per cent would like to be able to interact with computers via voice command.  

During the January school holidays (19 – 24 January) Microsoft Store will offer students aged 8 – 15 years a taste of the school of the future through an engaging curriculum involving AR, AI and coding workshops, and kids and parents will be given a taste of the Australian school of the future.  

Max Ferfoglia, Community Development Specialist at the flagship Microsoft Store in Sydney says, “We’re very excited that Aussie school kids are so interested in learning about new technologies in the school of the future. It’s even more exciting to be able to offer students the opportunity to trial technology and curriculums that they may not have hands-on experience in their school classes at the moment. By offering these workshops at Microsoft Store, we hope to inspire and empower children to feel confident and excited about the future of technology, ultimately inspiring them to pursue a career in the STEM industry.” 

Register for the workshops here. For more information on other STEM related workshops available throughout the year at the flagship Microsoft Store in Sydney, please see the events page on the Microsoft Store website.  


NOTES TO EDITORS: 
When: Sunday January 19th to Friday January 24th at various times throughout each day  
Where: Microsoft Store on Pitt Street Mall, Sydney (188 Pitt St, Sydney)  
Duration: the workshops run for 1.5 hours   
Recommended age: 8 -15 years, please note there are separate sessions for primary students and secondary students 
Skill level: beginners, no prior learning needed  

Workshop types:   

Merge Cube Workshop:  Imagine holding the earth in your hand, or perhaps even a great white shark! In partnership with Merge Cube, students will explore the wonders of the world and see them come to life before their eyes. In this interactive session, attendees will be guided through a series of Merge topic cards and experience them in 3D using Merge Cube's Augmented Reality technology. This session assumes zero student knowledge about AI and is suited to beginners. 

Minecraft Education – Element Scavenger Hunt: Blockheads get set to learn with Minecraft! Using Minecraft: Education Edition, students will learn about the earth's elements and how they combine to form matter. A combination of science, gaming and a whole lot of fun, attendees will break apart material blocks to understand how they are made up of component elements in this hands-on 'scavenger hunt' style session.  

AI with NeuranextIn partnership with Neuranext, this fun, interactive session, students will learn the key scientific concepts of Artificial Intelligence with Neuranext AI. Attendees will learn how A.I. is all around us, get to implement computer vision using Python Code and Jupyter Notebooks with data and images they create. Students will also workshop future applications of the technology and their impact on the world. Students will participate in deploying computer vision and neural networks to activate autonomous robotic cars for a self-driving task. 


App Lab – Build your own app: Budding app developers, listen up! In partnership with Code.org, this 1.5-hour workshop, you will learn how to build your own app using fundamentals of JavaScript with block-based coding. Using Code.org’s App Lab, learn how to come up with an app idea and watch it transform from sketch to shareable app in moments. For students 13+ only. NB: To save and access their app following the workshop, students will need to bring an email address. 


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