EdTech innovator Julianne Edwards introduced children to basic circuitry at The Mind Lab holiday programme this week.

The children spent the morning creating paper light boxes.

“Creating paper circuits is a good way to teach the basics of electricity and how circuits function,” said Ms Edwards.

“They’re also a fun way of creatively bringing artwork and paper craft to life”.

The children created a low-voltage electronic circuit on paper using conductive copper tape, LEDs and a coin-cell battery.

The Mind Lab Gisborne has been a noisy mess these October school holidays and The Mind Lab team could not be happier, says director Shanon O’Connor.

“With children collaboratively experimenting across the technology and engineering labs, the new half-day workshops are proving a success in our community,” she says.

“We are excited to be meeting new children who have never been to The Mind Lab before. They are spending the mornings with us, energetically designing, creating and sharing their new learning with their families when they are picked up at lunchtime”.

Ms O’Connor is particularly excited about the virtual reality workshops coming up next Monday.

“Virtual reality is a highly immersive experience that is significantly altering the landscape of every industry from the military, to healthcare, entertainment, gaming, education, fashion and business.

“We have designed a workshop where children engage with this futuristic technology — not as static consumers but as dynamic creators”.

The Mind Lab is supported by Eastland Community Trust (ECT) and, in addition to school holiday workshops, welcomes school groups into the labs to explore science, technology and engineering every school day.

“This year has been massively successful, with more than 5000 students visiting us during the school terms.

“Our engagement with schools is transformative and the impact these learning experiences have on our children’s learning is dramatic.”