Press Kit: Launch of KidZ & Tech Program!

Petaling Jaya, 12 May 2016 – In the spirit of driving the understanding of new technologies that would engage the young community in creative learning experiences, KidZania Kuala Lumpur has embarked on the KidZ & Tech Program, from 28 May to 12 June where children get to experience a series of interactive workshops, themed role-play opportunities and online activities that bring the future within reach.

Developed in collaboration with partners Microsoft Malaysia, Sasbadi Holdings, Panasonic, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, and Multimedia University, the entire program is a collection of activities designed to inspire interest in science and technology. In essence, the activities are aimed at helping children develop problem-solving and computational thinking skills, which will serve them well as adults.

“Children today are using technology in many ways to interact with peers and develop new skills. We can engage these children by fostering a fun learning atmosphere through the KidZ & Tech Program,” said Susanah Abdul Rani, Governor of KidZania Kuala Lumpur. “With the expertise of our partners like Microsoft Malaysia, Sasbadi Holdings, Panasonic, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, and Multimedia University, this KidZ & Tech Program is our way of showcasing the practical applications of technology so that children can appreciate the great potential it offers, which goes beyond mere entertainment.”

Act-of-launch with (from left) Tan Chee Hon (陈志汉), General Manager of Strategic B2B Development, Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd; Law Yi Chian (刘怡倩), Executive Director/Head of Marketing, Sasbadi Holdings Berhad; Jasmine Begum, Director of Corporate, External and Legal Affairs, Microsoft Malaysia; Puan Eneng Faridah Iskandar, Senior Director of the Advocacy & Outreach Division, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC); Susanah Abdul Rani, Governor of KidZania Kuala Lumpur; and Tuan Hj Sahbulah Mohd Darwi, Manager, Media Relations and Publications, Multimedia University

In essence, the activities aim to ignite a greater interest among children while providing opportunities for them to learn about the world around them and how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) will continue to drive change in the world.

The four key activities, powered by all the program partners, bring science and technology alive in different ways:

• Coding: Hour of Code introduces the basics of coding and computer programming, using the popular computer game Minecraft;
• Robotics:  Experience the fundamentals of robotic engineering and programming through WeDo from LEGO® Education;
• Augmented Reality: Dinosaurs Come to Life provides a glimpse of how augmented reality technology will stimulate learning minds in the future;
• Holography: Take a step into the world of holographic projection, and learn to make a 3D projection pyramid – a simple device that allows you to watch 3D holograms and videos on your smartphone or tablet.

“At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and organization to do more. This includes equipping young children and youth with computational thinking and problem-solving skills to succeed in an increasingly mobile-first, cloud-first world. Our collaboration with KidZania is a step in the right direction, and we remain committed to ensuring that children of all walks of life have access to STEM, paving the way for them to be the next generation of leaders,” said Jasmine Begum, Director, Corporate, External & Legal Affairs, Microsoft Malaysia and Emerging Markets. “With ‘Minecraft’ and Code.org, we aim to do this in a way that is natural, collaborative and fun – which is in line with what KidZania wants to achieve with the Kidz & Tech Program.”

Official launch of the KidZ & Tech Program (from left) Tan Chee Hon (陈志汉), General Manager of Strategic B2B Development, Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd; Jasmine Begum, Director of Corporate, External and Legal Affairs, Microsoft Malaysia; Law Yi Chian (刘怡倩), Executive Director/Head of Marketing, Sasbadi Holdings Berhad; Susanah Abdul Rani, Governor of KidZania Kuala Lumpur; Puan Eneng Faridah Iskandar, Senior Director of the Advocacy & Outreach Division, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC); and Tuan Hj Sahbulah Mohd Darwi, Manager, Media Relations and Publications, Multimedia University

“STEM education is crucial in the 21^st century and prepares children to meet the challenges of the world ahead,” explained Law Yi Chian, Executive Director/Head of Marketing and Communications, Sasbadi Holdings Berhad. “A hands-on approach to learning STEM concepts is an effective method because children can understand better through firsthand experiences. Bringing robotics and programming into the KidZ & Tech program will be instrumental in nurturing the next generation of innovators.”

The scheduled workshops are supported by exclusive online activities hosted on www.kidzania.com.my/kidz-and-tech, where kids can get to know more about notable people in technology, from Bill Gates to John Lasseter, in a special Hall of Tech section; they can also test their tech knowledge in the ‘Tech Geek of the Week’ Facebook Trivia Contest, which comes with a weekly prize of Virtual Reality Goggles and a Grand Prize of a 3D Doodler; and just for fun, young technology enthusiasts can answer a few simple questions to see which tech personality they resemble!

KidZania Congrezz member (from left) Chloe Soh Ke Er（苏可儿),  8, from SRJK Yuk Chai and Lishyen Shischir Indran, 12, from Tenby International School demonstrating about Robotics during the media launch of the KidZ & Tech Program

In addition, several of the 100 role-play experiences in KidZania Kuala Lumpur will be adapted to include an aspect that deals with technology. For example, children will try cases involving the hacking of the public system at the Courthouse; learn how to write an article on Kids & Technology for the KidZania Post; get an exclusive KidZ & Tech mobile phone wallpaper by using the hashtag #kidZtech2016; and listen to a live program hosted by the in-house Zupervisor DJ who will discuss Kids & Technology and play a specially-curated playlist of tech-themed songs; enjoy a City Parade, Robotic Dance at the City Clock, and Face Painting activities that relates to technology in our modern lives. There will also be opportunities for them to experience Augmented Reality colouring and see their masterpieces come to life!

Don’t miss out on all the excitement at the KidZania Kuala Lumpur KidZ & Tech Program (28 May to 12 June) – for a limited time, special discounts off regular ticket prices are available so visit www.kidzania.com.my for more information!

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About KidZania Kuala Lumpur

KidZania Kuala Lumpur is an award-winning indoor family edutainment centre that offers interactive learning and role-play experienes for kids. The first of its kind in providing edutainment fun, KidZania empowers and inspires kids to pursue their life’s dreams by providing them an avenue to explore what it’s like to live and work in a real functioning city. KidZania’s kid-sized city experience is targeted at kids aged between 4 to 14 years which allows them to choose from over 100 job related role-plays spread across 60 various city establishments. As in the real world, children perform “jobs” and are either paid for their work or pay to shop or to be entertained. KidZania is built as a replica of a real functioning child-sized city, complete with buildings, paved streets, vehicles, a functioning economy, and recognizable destinations in the form of “establishments” sponsored and branded by leading multi-national and local brands.

About Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels Sdn Bhd

Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels Sdn. Bhd. is an investment holding company incorporated to develop, manage and operate hospitality and attraction destinations. Established by the Malaysian Government’s strategic investment fund, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, TAR&H serves as a catalyst for the leisure and tourism industry by bringing premier world-class hotels, resorts, golf courses and attractions to the region.

Its current key investment portfolio comprises Desaru Coast – Malaysia’s first integrated luxury destination, LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort – the sixth LEGOLAND in the world and the first in Asia, KidZania Kuala Lumpur & KidZania Singapore – an indoor family education and entertainment centre, Puteri Harbour – a quay side lifestyle retail and family entertainment complex, SANRIO HELLO KITTY TOWN – the first of its kind outside of Japan, Thomas Town – an indoor theme park that features the famous Thomas & Friends® characters on multiple themed rides and Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour at the luxury waterfront of Puteri Harbour, Iskandar Puteri (formerly known as Nusajaya), along with the award winning The Datai Langkawi and the first Els Club in Southeast Asia – Els Club Teluk Datai in Langkawi. The Els Club Malaysia will add two more championship golf courses to its stable with the opening of Els Club Desaru Coast and Els Club Desaru Valley, both located in Desaru Coast.

Working with renowned global and local partners and brands, TAR&H aims to be the leading Leisure & Tourism Group bringing world-class destinations to South East Asia, creating over 15,000 jobs.