Big Ideas for Young Minds
| Date | Friday, 20 March 2026 - 10:00am–2:00pm Friday, 5 June 2026 - 9:45am |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 hours |
| Year level | 5–6 |
| Cost | Free |
State Library Victoria's Big Ideas for Young Minds event returns for 2026 – and it’s bigger and better than ever!
What’s in store?
Join us in-person over 2 days
Day 1: Friday 20 March 10am–2pm
Enjoy a range of thought-provoking workshops, learning from leading social change organisations and individuals, including Resource Smart Schools, Who Gives A Crap and OzHarvest. Find out more about the sessions below.
Day 2: Friday 5 June from 9.45am
After the first day, students will complete the unit of work (outlined below) in their classrooms, guiding them through how to make change in their community. They’ll then be invited back to the Library to pitch their ideas at the Day 2 expo.
Please note: if joining us in person, schools will need to commit to attend both days: 20 March and 5 June.
A maximum of 75 students per school can book.
Book now.
Can’t make it to both days?
You can still join us online for our 20 March livestreamed workshops:
- 10.30–11.20am: Participate in interactive games with Resource Smart Schools to learn how you can be more sustainable and make a change in your future.
- 11.30am–12.20pm: The Who Gives A Crap team have a hands-on mission for you to do more good, one roll at a time! Discover how to take your best ideas and give them legs so they can go out and change the world.
- 1–1.50pm: Have you got ideas about what can be done about Australia's food waste problem? Work with OzHarvest to come up with a recipe for success to tackle this issue.
Resources
This is only the start. Continue to build your students’ enthusiasm and Civics and Citizenship skills in the classroom with free, complementary student and teacher resources. You can find the resources below.
This inquiry-based Civics and Citizenship unit of work was developed by teachers, for teachers.
Students will learn how to:
- Identify a problem within their community they would like to change
- Do research to understand their problem
- Evaluate solutions to their problem
- Brainstorm ideas to communicate their solution
- Pitch an idea
This program is designed to address the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 Year 5 and 6 Civics and Citizenship and Critical and Creative Thinking capability. A full outline of the curriculum links is listed in the teacher booklet linked below.
For more information about the program, please email education@slv.vic.gov.au or call 03 8664 7478.
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