More than 900 children and young people from across the state are gowning up to celebrate their learning success at Children’s University Tasmania graduation ceremonies from this week.
Eight ceremonies will be held in total, in Burnie, Devonport, Launceston and Hobart through November and December. The first are being held this week in Burnie and Devonport, with young learners joining family, school leaders and community partners to mark their achievements.
Parent and grandparent Rita Simpson will watch her daughter Kirby (grade 10) and two granddaughters Kassadi and Myami (grades 5 and 3) graduate, with each having attended Children’s University for several years.
“It’s the different learning environments that are so valuable – they bring the history of the topics to life and provide hands-on opportunities for the kids,” Ms Simpson said.
“They get really involved and really focused when they’ve got to search for things themselves. Every time they visit the Learning Destinations, they find something different.”
The Children’s University Tasmania program has now run for 10 years, coordinated by the Peter Underwood Centre for Educational Attainment at the University of Tasmania.
Underwood Centre Director Leanne McLean said it was a crucial part of Tasmania transitioning its educational outcomes to meet the needs of the next generation and of the state.
“It is so exciting to see so many of our children and young people embracing their learning and on a pathway towards a rich, life-long education,” she said.
“Congratulations to each of our learners, their families, their schools and our inspiring Learning Destinations as together we take the steps towards achieving the outcomes we need for our future.”
Children’s University Tasmania connects primary and secondary school students to extracurricular learning experiences, fostering a love of learning and supporting children’s natural curiosity.
In 2025 the program has included everything from Let’s Play Hospital, a hands-on activity that lets students experience what it’s like to be a nurse, to 3D printing and tours of the Kinetic bus depot.
Deputy Director of the Peter Underwood Centre Associate Professor Becky Shelley encouraged new community partners to get involved as Learning Destinations.
“We have a wonderfully diverse range of Learning Destinations, both inside and outside the University, where children and young people can be part of activities that foster their love of learning,” Dr Shelley said.
“We are always interested in new experiences for our learners and would welcome community partners getting in touch and sharing their ideas.”
Students gain stamps in a Passport to Learning, recording their participation in activities at museums, art galleries, wildlife parks, libraries; Children's University school holiday programs and University of Tasmania events; school activities such as chess club, choir and volunteering; regular activities such as sport, music lessons and swimming lessons; and a range of fun online learning resources and activities.
Read more about Children's University Tasmania.