Planning for the Department for Energy and Mining-sponsored April School Holiday program was well underway when COVID-19 developed into a worldwide pandemic, and self-isolation and lockdowns became a priority across the state. 

“Usually at this time the lawns and galleries of the South Australian Museum would be alive with school children,” said Brian Oldman, Director of the South Australian Museum.

“To provide a fun and meaningful learning experience, we’ve had to quickly put our best digital foot forward to create an online version of the school holiday program.”

The Museum’s School Holiday Program is typically an action-packed 5-10 day offering for children aged 5-12. Each STEM-based program is designed to evoke children's curiosity, encouraging them to question and build on their own personal understandings related to science, nature and culture.

In it new digital format, the Museum will release a new school holiday program-based video each day until Friday 24 April, which can be watched from the Museum’s Content for Connection page. Hosted by the Museum’s geologist and paleontologist experts, the Museum will bring Wonders from the Earth into the homes of South Australian children.

The partnership between Department for Energy and Mining and the South Australian Museum provides great outreach opportunities to engage the community and budding young earth scientists.

Minister for Energy and Mining Dan van Holst Pellekaan said it was important for students at both primary and secondary levels to learn about our state’s geology and how it contributes to the wellbeing of our community.

“The digital school holiday program delivered in partnership between the South Australian Museum and the Department for Energy and Mining provides a digital opportunity for students who have had their education interrupted by coronavirus lockdowns, and will support their wellbeing and the inspire an appreciation of our state’s natural resources through free STEM programming and learning opportunities.

“The South Australian Museum has been a strong partner with our state’s schools, and for generations families have visited the building to learn and grow together.

“Our community is responding in innovative ways to get families and schools through this pandemic, and learning about the important part earth and geosciences played in South Australia’s story is something we can tell together through the medium of an online digital school holiday program,” said Minister van Holst Pellekaan.

The April school holiday program is part of the Museum Alive series, made possible by Beach Energy.

“Beach is passionate about educating young people and families in STEM. We are very proud to support the South Australian Museum’s first online school holiday program,” said Rob Malinauskas, Group Manager Corporate Affairs at Beach Energy.

“The online program is a fantastic way to continue education and communication during this time of isolation.”