The Program
Join a learning community empowering young people as confident makers and tinkerers
Technology is all around us. Today it’s easy to think that technology just refers to computers and apps, but the fact is humans have been creating technology for millions of years. I believe it’s important we associate "technology" with "tool" because this can help us place our relationship with digital technology in context.
As a creative technologist my work requires I spend a lot of time in front of a computer. When I'm not working I prefer to be barefoot and as far away from any screen and signal as I can get. I understand that for some parents tech can often feel foreign and frightening. Like it represents a lot of whats wrong with our world. Depending on your relationship with technology there can sometimes be a tension around where it fits in your life and the life of your children.
I find that at times I share many of those feelings AND I also remember the whimsical and wonderful! The way I felt in the early days of being introduced to multimedia, design and code by some wonderful mentors and in the early days of the web.
A sense of wonder, empowerment and the ability to make intentional choices around how you interact with and use technology to impact the world around you is some of what I hope to share through this program.
Whats on offer
Foundations Workshop (Series)
Both HelloExplorer (our unplugged offering) and HelloMaker have a Foundations level, generally intended to be delivered as part of a somewhat sequencial series. At this level the focus is on exploring the origins of modern tech. Sense making through experimenting and trying lots of different things.
We are all at the Explorer level here.
HelloExplorer
For 7+yo who have shown interest in digital technology and or you want them to have an unplugged intro to this space
Without touching a computer, or talking about code, we'll unpack the origins of modern tech. Origin stories & handcrafts will be used to lay the ground work for a deep understanding of the complex technological world we live in today.
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HelloMaker
For young people who possibly have some prior knowledge in digital technology or with expressed interest / an established DIY/Maker attitude.
Technology timelines, inventions & ideas will be explored to make sense of where we are with digital tech today. Overtime we’ll introduce the tools, skill sets, concepts & mindsets needed to navigate and thrive in a digital world as a Maker...
Learn more →Knowhow Workshops (One Off)
The Maker level is the core part of the program. At this stage the expectation would be that young people have acquired foundational knowledge (either with me or elsewhere in their lives) and they are ready to tinker more intentionally and begin to acquire Skills in specific areas that interest them and the Knowledge to operate with accountability (to themselves & others) in these spaces. Based on demand, the type of workshops I'd start to run at this level would cover things like:
- Multimedia & Visual Design
- Robotics, Programming & Code
- Web Development
- Design Thinking
- Thinking in Systems
- Our Digital Footprint
- Staying Safe Online
- Addiction & Distraction
- Technology & Impact
Knowwhy Workshop (Series)
The Changer level is the advanced level of the program and the intent is to focus on developing Critical Thinking & Agency. Now that we know some of our history and the origin of technical things in our life, the Changer level intends to build upon acquired technical skills and match them up with deep thought on our roles and responsibilities in relation to how technology is used in our lives now and what roles it has in our future.
HelloChanger
For young people moving into their teenage years who have an interest in digital technology and how it impacts their world
Using current events and our lived experiences (and those of others) we'll use a series of questions to explore the often unexplored aspects of digital technology in our lives. We'll zero-in on the critical thinking skills needed to navigate and thrive in a digital world.
Learn more →Parent Support
HelloParent
For parents who may be grappling with the role of technology in your own lives and looking for ways to guide and support your children to navigate this space
Not every young person and family will use, value or understand digital technologies in the same way and thats ok. Adult relationships with digital technology can depend on a range of factors like age and access but it also depends on views formed around technology use through our lived experience and worldview. This is important because our relationships with technology shape those of the young people in our lives.
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