Aspire Programme

We kept kids excited about learning by buddying up with Year 7 or 8 student for fun and practical learning experiences on campus. Bringing out your best inner big kid!

What was the Aspire Programme?

The Aspire Programme started from a collaboration between UniCrew, Otago Community Trust, local partner schools and Ōtākou Marae to create an experience that inspires young people who are at risk of disengaging with learning.

Running from 2014 to 2024, the Aspire Programme was an after-school experience where pupils from local Dunedin schools were paired with a University of Otago student volunteer. The aim was simply to keep kids excited about learning. We did this by hosting the students on campus, starting a higher education dialogue, demystifying the university campus and opening the pupils’ eyes to the opportunities and excitement of further education. We worked with Dunedin North Intermediate on Wednesdays and Bathgate Park School and Carisbrook School on Fridays.

Over the course of seven sessions, students and their buddies engaged in different activities which were hosted by various departments around the University. Previous departments included Chemistry, Music, Food Science, Physical Education, Computer Science and Medicine.