Children's University WA

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Children's University WA

Children's University Western Australia Partnership

The Children’s University Western Australia Partnership (CUWAP) is an educational outreach initiative that inspires children and young people to develop a love of learning, broaden their aspirations and explore future educational and career pathways. The program is focused on supporting children experiencing educational disadvantage, including those from low socio-economic backgrounds, regional and culturally diverse communities. By providing access to enriching learning opportunities beyond the classroom, CUWAP seeks to address barriers to educational participation, build confidence and self-efficacy, and help break cycles of disadvantage.

Established in Western Australia by Edith Cowan University (ECU) in 2017, the program has been delivered since 2020 through a partnership between ECU and the University of Western Australia (UWA). CUWAP connects children aged from 7 to 14 years and their families with a diverse range of beyond-school learning opportunities offered by cultural institutions and community organisations, including public libraries, zoos, parks, museums, art galleries, theatres, sporting clubs, schools and local businesses. These experiences encourage children to explore new interests, develop skills and discover how their learning connects to university courses and potential future careers.

Each participating child receives a Passport to Learning, which allows them to record the hours they spend engaging in approved learning activities. As children accumulate learning hours, their achievements are formally recognised through certificates and a graduation ceremony hosted by Edith Cowan University. This recognition celebrates their commitment to learning, reinforces their sense of achievement and encourages them to continue exploring educational opportunities. Through these experiences, CUWAP aims to widen participation in higher education, strengthen educational engagement and raise aspirations, particularly among children who may have limited access to such opportunities. By making learning accessible, engaging and rewarding, the program seeks to foster a lasting enthusiasm for learning and help young people recognise the possibilities available to them.

Key learning experiences include:

Participating in regular extracurricular activities (e.g., sport, music, clubs)
Participating in existing programs operating within the school.
Free Children's University holiday workshops hosted on ECU campus
Visits to over 120 Community Learning Destinations across WA
Access to the Children's University Online Portal, featuring more than 1,000 self-directed, at-home learning activities
Free Children's University holiday activity booklets

As a Warrwa-Noongar kid, the storytelling is not only phenomenal but also shows me how much the Children's University respects Aboriginal people and culture, which also means they respect me and my family too.
CU Student, Grovelands Primary School

Schools

Help your students develop and thrive beyond the classroom.

Members and Families

Have fun, try out new activities and make friends.

Visitors gather around a museum display featuring a dolphin skeleton and historic diving equipment, while a guide presents information about dolphin anatomy in a blue-themed marine science exhibition.

Learning Destinations

Visit places for family-friendly learning experiences.

News & events

Children participate in a Children’s University school holiday workshop in a simulated hospital ward. A group gathers around a hospital bed where a medical training mannequin lies connected to monitoring equipment. University staff and nursing students demonstrate healthcare procedures while children observe and interact with the clinical learning environment. Medical equipment, bedside monitors and training resources are visible throughout the room.

ECU’s Children’s University Holiday Workshops Spark Creative, Clinical and Curious Minds

Wednesday, 14 October 2026

More than 160 Children’s University (CU) students and their families took part in ECU’s September school holiday workshops, exploring new ideas, developing practical skills and experiencing university life across ECU’s Joondalup and South West campuses.

Children's University students during an April 2026 school holiday workshop at ECU's South West Campus

Inspiring Young Minds: Another Amazing April at ECU’s Children’s University Holiday Program

Wednesday, 29 April 2026

More than 160 enthusiastic Children’s University (CU) students and family members joined us across Edith Cowan University’s Joondalup and South West campuses this April for another memorable holiday program.

See more news

Contact us

Please contact the team to learn more about the program and find out how to be involved here at ECU: childrensuniversity@ecu.edu.au

Please note that members of the ECU community, including staff, students or alumni, can work with the Children’s University team to provide outstanding learning activities for primary school students, or volunteer for events such as Children’s University annual graduations.

Connect with us on:

The Australian Government, Department of Education and Training’s Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) currently fund the program.

The University Department of Rural Health – South West (UDRH-SW) currently fund the program in the South West.

School of Education