Alice's ACMI Adventure: Discovering Nature and Gaming ACMI visit inspires Alice's learning Diary Entry: **Title: A Day Out at ACMI and Learning to Connect** What a day we had today! Alice and I made our way to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) and were entranced by the Marshmallow Laser Feast: Works of Nature exhibition. Alice was deeply engaged in the meditation and found it very comforting. We discussed the theme of our shared breath with the trees and the interconnectedness of life on Earth. Alice's understanding grew, as she pieced together the importance of every life form and our connection to nature, highlighted by animated images of trees ‘breathing’. The exhibition sparked a noticeable calmness in Alice, her pace slowed, and she seemed more at ease, thoroughly absorbed in the artwork as she radiated tranquillity. From tranquillity to enthusiasm, as we moved to the gaming exhibitions, Alice's love for computer games truly shone. The evolution of the moving image and the development of computer games fascinated her. It was inspiring to witness Alice’s excitement grow as she got to try games developed by independent developers. Alice was particularly amazed to learn about the success of independent game developers in Australia. This eye-opening encounter stirred a potential career interest in her - perhaps a future gamer or animator. Alice's creativity expands beyond the virtual world; her love for drawing anime characters and dragons is evident in the artwork she shares. Currently, she's honing her skills of drawing hands and is excited to dive into the world of 2D animation. She's self-teaching through YouTube and the Procreate Dreams app. Throughout the day at ACMI, Alice's curiosity was apparent. The way she interacted with the exhibits. Her experiences today have raised questions and curiosity about the moving image world, nature, and her place within it. This has sparked many ideas for ways to extend her learning and nurture her budding interests. We could provide Alice with opportunities to explore animation and game development within our setting, like coding or stop motion animation activities, trips to local nature reserves to enhance her understanding of our connection with nature, and inviting a local animator or game developer to share their experiences would be beneficial.

Art

• Alice gained an understanding of nature and interconnectedness through the animated images of trees ‘breathing’.
• Her love for drawing anime characters and dragons is evident, showing her creativity and interest in visual arts.
• She expressed interest in diving into the world of 2D animation, demonstrating a passion for visual storytelling.
• Experiencing the Marshmallow Laser Feast exhibition may have inspired Alice to explore nature-themed art projects.

English Language Arts

• Alice's engagement in the meditation and her discussions about interconnectedness showcase her ability to comprehend and discuss complex themes.
• Her excitement about game development and animation could lead to creative writing opportunities, such as storytelling or scriptwriting for games and animations.
• Her curiosity about the moving image world and nature raises potential for writing assignments related to these topics.

History

• Alice learned about the evolution of the moving image and the development of computer games, which ties into the history of technology and entertainment.
• She was amazed to learn about the success of independent game developers in Australia, providing insight into the history of gaming and digital media in the country.

Science

• Experiencing the interconnectedness of life on Earth through nature-themed exhibits demonstrates a deep understanding of ecological concepts.
• Her curious interactions with the exhibits and discussions about the importance of every life form display a budding interest in biology and environmental science.
• A trip to local nature reserves to enhance her understanding of our connection with nature could further develop her knowledge of ecosystems and environmental conservation.

Encourage Alice to explore animation and game development through coding or stop motion animation activities. Trips to local nature reserves can enhance her understanding of our connection with nature. Inviting a local animator or game developer to share their experiences would be beneficial. Additionally, providing opportunities for creative writing assignments related to her interests can further develop her skills and passion.

Book Recommendations

• The Wild Robot by Peter Brown: A captivating story about nature and technology, perfect for sparking Alice's imagination and interest in the interconnectedness of life.
• Game On! Video Game History from Pong and Pac-Man to Mario, Minecraft, and More by Dustin Hansen: This non-fiction book provides an engaging history of video games, aligning with Alice's interest in gaming exhibitions.
• Art and Max by David Wiesner: A beautifully illustrated book about two friends exploring creativity and art, which can inspire Alice's love for art and animation.