MindLabKids.com beaming into a home near you

Tuesday 18 April 2017

MindLabKids.com beaming into a home near you

Auckland, 18 April 2016 – A new, free video-based learning website where kids can discover science and technology is now beaming into the homes of kids all around New Zealand.

MindLabKids.com is the brainchild of The Mind Lab by Unitec – powered by Spark. The free platform enables children aged 5-12 years to discover science and technology, learning ways to experiment and collaborate with like-minded children from the comfort of their own homes – so the learning never stops!

“We have taught more than 100,000 children at The Mind Lab over the past three years and have observed that kids are often disappointed when they have to leave our labs. They want to know and understand more, and take their Mind Lab experience home with them,” says Fee McLeod, General Manager of The Mind Lab by Unitec.

“We’ve listened to kids and parents alike and we’re thrilled to presentMindLabKids.com – a free platform which offers a wide range of home-friendly challenges and experiments that are every bit as exciting and educational as those conquered in our labs.”

Similar to The Mind Lab’s school group and holiday programmes, MindLabKids.com is a safe and friendly platform based around The Mind Lab’s three core pillars – Science, Technology & Discovery. It aims to build knowledge and discovery of robotics, 3D design, animation and stop motion, movie-making, coding, programming, electronic engineering, augmented reality and more.

“Our MindLabKids.com team will launch a new video challenge nationwide three times a week around these topics. Kids will be asked to create a free account and upload a video response to the challenge to demonstrate key skills such as creating, innovating, collaborating, problem solving and failing. They’ll be able to add their own special twist and share it with their friends and family.”

Spark CEO Home, Mobile and Business, Jason Paris, says Spark is thrilled to be partnering with MindLabKids.com to bring the MindLab experience to more Kiwi children.

"At Spark we're passionate about making technology available to all New Zealanders, and tech education for our kids is a really important part of that. MindLabKids.com lets kids create their own tech projects at home using low cost, everyday items – it’s something children right across the country can get involved in.”

Paris encourages parents to get their kids on the site, give it a go and share it with friends, family and even schools.

“As a dad, I know how hard it can sometimes be to keep kids interested in learning. The reason MindLabKids.com works is that it’s all about letting kids experiment, learn, discover, fail and most importantly have fun.

“Technology is developing faster than we can imagine, so it’s important we all invest in new skills and knowledge to make sure we keep up – and our kids are a great place to start.”

MindLabKids.com team has been on a nationwide search to find a group of ProMindLabbers – a team of 30 kids who have been enlisted to tell the design and build team what kids want. ProMindLabbers will regularly feature in video updates to the community, setting challenges for other kids around New Zealand.

“We’ve included kids right from the initial research phase through to getting feedback on prototypes, logos, content topics and user experience. It’s been incredible seeing their ideas develop into something that the kids genuinely want,” says Fee.

Click here to see Jason Paris and his son Sam’s exciting experience withMindLabKids.com, and click here to hear Frances Valintine, founder of The Mind Lab by Unitec, discussing the fantastic initiative.

To find out more visit https://www.mindlabkids.com

ENDS

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