HOLIDAY PROGRAM
HOLIDAY SHOWS
TaikOz Japanese Drumming
11.00am (Duration: 50 minutes)
Tuesday 16 April
Wednesday 17 April
Tuesday 23 April
Wednesday 24 April
Join us for a very special journey into Japanese taiko music and culture, presented by musicians from renowned taiko ensemble, TaikOz. Learn about the history of Wadaiko (Japanese drumming) and its introduction to Australia, hear the hushed, ethereal tones of the bamboo shinobue flute, and explore the relationship between Japanese and Australian music in this exciting and interactive show. Suitable for all ages. Free with general admission. Individual bookings not required. Bookings essential for groups of 10 or more.
Bollywood Infusion
11.00am (Duration: 50 minutes)
Thursday 18 April
Friday 19 April
Friday 26 April
Bollywood Infusion is a high energy show of movement and music that takes you on a journey from classical Indian folk dance to the popular contemporary style made famous in modern Indian cinema. Some young audience members will even get to learn a fun Bollywood routine and the traditional meanings behind the key movements! Suitable for all ages. Free with general admission. Individual bookings not required. Bookings essential for groups of 10 or more.
MAKE-AND-DO ACTIVITIES
Participation in all make-and-do activities $2 per child
Fans and Lanterns
10.00am—4.00pm
Tuesday 16 January—Friday 19 April
Tuesday 23 April, Wednesday 24 April and Friday 26 April Fans and lanterns have traditionally been used in many countries in East Asia as decorative accessories and as features in many celebrated festivals. In this holiday make-and-do activity, young discoverers are invited to make either a beautiful paper fan or a decorative red paper lantern to use and take home. Suitable for 3 yrs +. Participation in all holiday make-and-do activities $2 per child. Individual bookings not required. Bookings essential for groups of 10 or more.
Chinese Dragons
10.00am—4.00pm
Tuesday 16 April—Friday 19 April
Tuesday 23 April, Wednesday 24 April and Friday 26 April
In Chinese mythology, dragons are said to have the power to control the rains, hurricanes and floods. They are also seen as a symbol of strength and good luck and thus were adopted by the Emperor of China several thousands of years ago as a symbol of his Imperial power. In this fun holiday make-and-do activity, young discoverers are invited to cut out, colour in and create their very own Chinese dragon puppet from everyday items such as crepe paper, paper cups and patty pans. Suitable for 3 yrs +. Participation in all holiday make-and-do activities $2 per child. Individual bookings not required. Bookings essential for groups of 10 or more.
MINI WORKSHOPS
Book online for our mini workshops
Belly Dancing
12.30pm—2.00pm
Tuesday 16 April
Belly dancing originated thousands of years ago in the Middle East and takes many different forms depending on the country or region where it is performed. Join belly dancer, Ullah, from renowned dance studio, Amera’s Palace (Marrickville ) for a fun and fabulous workshop that celebrates the colour, movement and rhythm of belly dancing. Participants will have the opportunity to dress up, play a variety of instruments, practice some wiggly moves and perform a short piece at the end of the workshop. Suitable for 5–12 years. $20 / $18 Powerhouse Members. Bookings and prepayment essential as numbers are limited to 20 per workshop.
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Origami
12.30pm- 2.30pm
Wednesday 17 April
Wednesday 24 April
Origami is the ancient Japanese art of paper folding. Join contemporary origami artist, Midori Furze, to make origami shapes including flowers, stars, butterflies, an origami ball and a bookmark. Participants will be also introduced to Katakana, the Japanese characters that they will use to write their name in calligraphy to create their own bookmark to take home. Suitable for 5–12 years. $20 / $18 Powerhouse Members. Bookings and prepayment essential as numbers are limited to 24 per workshop.
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Kite Flight Physics
12.30pm—2.00pm
Thursday 18 April
Friday 19 April
Friday 26 April
Said to be the invention of Chinese philosophers, Mozi and Lu Ban, the humble kite dates back as far as 2800 years ago and was used for measuring distances, testing the wind, signalling and military communications. But just how and why do kites fly? Join our friends from Fizzics Education to discover the secrets behind the science of kites. Learn about box kites, fighting kites and how solar sails might one day even transport us through the solar system! Delve into the ground-breaking work of celebrated Australian inventor, Sir Lawrence Hargrave, and his amazing models demonstrating the principles of flight in the Powerhouse Collection. All workshop participants will make their own kite to take home. Suitable for 5–12 years. Children aged 5-6 years may attend but must be accompanied and assisted by an adult guardian for the 90-minute duration of the workshop. $25 / $22 Powerhouse Members. Bookings and prepayment essential as numbers are limited to 20 per workshop.
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Chinese Calligraphy
12.30pm—2.00pm Tuesday 23 April Join Chinese calligrapher, Andrew Lo, for a calligraphy and brush painting workshop. The ancient art of calligraphy has withstood the test of time and is still flourishing today, despite significant changes over the centuries. Learn more about this art form and create simple projects using the brush both in painting and calligraphy on traditional xuan paper. Participants are advised to wear an old shirt or apron for painting. Bookings and prepayment essential as numbers are limited to 20 per workshop. Suitable for 5–12 years. $20 / $18 Powerhouse Members.
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FULL DAY WORKSHOPS
Please note that bookings for full-day workshops can only be made by phoning the Discovery Centre on 9762 1300.
Lego® Build Construction Workshop
10.00am—3.00pm
Tuesday 16 April BOOKED OUT
Thursday 18 April BOOKED OUT
Tuesday 23 April BOOKED OUT
Become a Lego® master builder! Presented in partnership with the Technology Education Company, this full-day, hands-on, fun workshop will stimulate creativity while developing teamwork and problem solving skills. Introducing concepts of 3-D visualization, participants will work in small teams to build houses, castles and towers of strength using Lego®. Please note that this workshop does not include Lego® to take home at the end of the workshop. Suitable for 6–8 year olds. $60/$55 Powerhouse members. Please bring your own lunch. Bookings essential as numbers for the workshop are limited to 12. Pre-payment by credit card is required at time of booking due to the popularity of workshops (credit card surcharges apply). Terms and conditions apply.
Mandala Mosaic Workshop
10.00am—3.00pm
Wednesday 17 April
Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘circle’. Mandala artwork carries spiritual and ritual significance in both Hindu and Buddhist religions and is particularly prominent in Indian and Tibetan cultures. Presented in partnership with Hughes Studio and Mosaico, this full-day, hands-on workshop teaches participants to create their own mandala-inspired mosaic. Participants will develop a design starting from a circular base and then learn to cut and lay glass mosaic tiles to complete their project. Due to the drying time of the adhesive, participants will be required to grout their mosaics at home and will be prepared for this with a grouting demonstration in the workshop and provided with a grouting kit and clear instructions. Suitable for 8+ years. Children aged 6-7 years may attend but must be accompanied and assisted by an adult guardian for the 5-hour duration of the workshop. $60/$55 Powerhouse members. Please bring your own lunch. Bookings essential as numbers for the workshop are limited to 16. Pre-payment by credit card is required at time of booking due to the popularity of workshops (credit card surcharges apply). Terms and conditions apply.
Lego® Robotics Workshop
10.00am—3.00pm
Friday 19 April BOOKED OUT
Wednesday 24 April BOOKED OUT
Friday 26 April BOOKED OUT
Presented in partnership with the Technology Education Company, this full-day, hands-on workshop teaches participants the basic skills of robotics using Lego® RCX bricks and software (Lego® 1999). During the workshop and working in teams of three, participants will build robots with Lego® and then program them to move, dance and conquer obstacle courses using touch and light sensors. Later in the day, teams participate in a challenge to determine the best-designed robot on the day. Please note that this workshop does not include a robot to take home at the end of the workshop. Suitable for 8–12 year olds. $70/$65 Powerhouse members. Please bring your own lunch. Bookings essential as numbers for the workshop are limited to 12. Pre-payment by credit card is required at time of booking due to the popularity of workshops (credit card surcharges apply). Terms and conditions apply.
FUN ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG DISCOVERERS
Year of the Snake Colouring Competition
10.00am—4.00pm
Tuesday 16 January—Friday 19 April
Tuesday 23 April, Wednesday 24 April and Friday 26 April
Colour in our Chinese Year of the Snake inspired design for your chance to win a fantastic prize that will help you extend your creative skills! Prizes will be awarded in three age categories: Category 1 (4 years and under), Category 2 (5–7 years) and Category 3 (8–12 years). Competition closes at 4.00pm, Friday 26th April, 2013. Terms and conditions apply. Suitable for all ages.
Discovery Trails
10.00am—4.00pm
Tuesday 16 January—Friday 19 April
Tuesday 23 April, Wednesday 24 April and Friday 26 April Enjoy our self-completion activity trails that take young visitors on a journey of discovery through the Discovery Centre, focused on critters and creatures, wheels, wings, squiggles, flowers and things that fly in the sky. Older children can also complete our code-cracking Cipher Wheel Trail and our youngest visitors can try our ‘Toddler Trail’. Suitable for various age levels. Individual bookings not required.
FOOD + DRINK
Cafe2U Castle Hill East are proud to support our holiday program with their mobile coffee and food service. Cafe2U will offer a range of hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, meat pies, sausage rolls and sweet snacks daily from 12.00pm—1.30pm. Please note that there are no permanent food facilities available on the Discovery Centre site. One drink vending machine dispensing cold drinks (including water) in located in the foyer of the Discovery Centre. Cafes and food and beverage outlets are located within a short walking distance of the Discovery Centre.
GENERAL ADMISSION PRICES
$8 adult, $5 child/concession/senior/pensioner, $25 family (2 adults + 2 children). Free admission for Powerhouse Members and children 3 years and under. Holiday make-and-do activities participation $2 per child.
Booked Group Visits: $10 per child (including vacation care groups) / $7 concession and not-for-profit organisations. Additional charges and/or prepayment apply for some holiday programs, all workshops and booked groups.
Booked Group Visits: $10 per child (including vacation care groups) / $7 concession and not-for-profit organisations. Additional charges and/or prepayment apply for some holiday programs, all workshops and booked groups.
Debit and credit card fees: As part of a NSW Government requirement, from 1 July 2012 the Powerhouse Discovery Centre will apply a surcharge on all transactions made by debit or credit cards. Surcharge rates are determined on a cost-recovery basis only. No surcharge will be incurred when paying with EFTPOS, cheque or cash. Payments made on VISA and Mastercard will attract 0.40% and American Express 2.75%.
BOOKINGS
To book your place in our school holiday workshops, phone 02 9762 1300.
Vehicle and pedestrian entry via 172 Showground Road, Castle Hill. On-site parking available. Alternate entry is also available through the TAFE driveway on Green Road.
A vending machine supplying drinks is available in the foyer at the entrance to the Display Store. Cafe2U Castle Hill East are proud to support our holiday program with their mobile coffee and food service. Cafe2U will offer a range of hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, meat pies, sausage rolls and sweet snacks daily from 11.30am—1.30pm. Please note that there are no permanent food facilities available on the Discovery Centre site. One drink vending machine dispensing cold drinks (including water) is located in the foyer of the Discovery Centre. Cafés and food and beverage outlets are located within a short walking distance of the Discovery Centre.
Visit 'Go Play' to browse NSW school holiday activities from a range of organisations, including the Powerhouse Discovery Centre. more...