Life changing, multi-sensory and interactive education experiences are brought to life on the big screen with Ster-Kinekor’s Cinema Park programme. This innovative initiative has been successfully rolled out at the leading cinema chain’s sites at The Zone in Rosebank, Johannesburg, and Cavendish in Cape Town.

Now Ster-Kinekor is excited to be bringing this offering to learners from Soweto and surrounds, with the launch of the Cinema Park initiative at Ster-Kinekor Maponya Mall. The first screenings target secondary school leaners, through the popular Addicted to Life programme, and will take place during March 2015, thanks to a partnership with United International Pictures, Destiny Seating and African Leadership Academy.

Kids love going to the movies. By staging this in a darkened cinema, with popcorn and a cold drink at hand, this learning activity becomes a fun school outing. However, participation in the programme can be a life-changing experience for learners, who absorb and learn while they are having fun.

The various Cinema Park technologies work together to produce an entertaining and educational experience, combining 3D film projection technology, innovative audio effects and audience interactivity tools to heighten the student’s engagement in the learning process. The result is a multi-sensory experience that incorporates 3D, music, darkness, inspiration and interaction – all working together to stimulate the senses while combining a feedback mechanism for teachers from the students.

Addicted to Life targets Grade 8 learners and above, and is specially designed for today’s youth who enjoy action and the use of immediate and interactive communication tools, are cynical about life and ready to take risks. The programme, which lasts for two-and-a-half hours, presents five separate experiences. By watching and interacting with the programme, participants learn about the harmful and long-term effects of substance abuse. They witness what impact the addiction to alcohol and drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy and inhalants, have on the body and the brain, and how to deal with peer pressure. Topics such as the dangers of alcohol and irresponsible drinking are specifically dealt with in the Inspiration, Darkness and Interactive Experiences.

After watching and interacting with the Addicted to Life programme:

· participants’ knowledge of the effects of alcohol and drugs on the brain and body will increase;

· approximately 30% of the participants will indicate an intention to change their behaviour;

· at least 70% can demonstrate that they have learned something new; and

· teachers will gain firsthand information on how to identify substance abuse in their own classrooms.

Using wireless remote control units, the learners’ knowledge and intention to change their behaviour is tested. The anonymous responses are displayed live on the big screen, providing instant feedback for teachers and students alike. Teachers attending the programme with their students are accommodated for free, and receive a free Teacher’s Guide with practical exercises to reinforce the learning back in the classroom.

During the screening, prizes are also awarded at random intervals to winners of the knowledge game to increase focus on the task at hand, and to add a fun and attention-grabbing element.

Other programmes that are available to learners of different ages include: Super Powers aimed at Grade 4, Keep It Wild for Grade 5, Planet Home for Grade 6 and Cinema Drive for Grades 11 and 12.

On a continuous quest to provide more digital viewing and learning experiences, Ster-Kinekor has invested in the technology required to kick start this exciting and interactive edutainment programme at its cinema complex in Soweto’s Maponya Mall. Youngsters who attend one of the Ster-Kinekor Cinema Park experiences on the big screen with their classmates, will think they are at a ‘cinema theme park’ as they are taken on a thrilling edutainment and multi-sensory ride. Schools are encouraged to make block bookings for their learners, which can be done via email: cinemapark@sterkinekor.com.

For more information on Ster-Kinekor and Cinema Park, visit www.sterkinekor.com. For information on how to book an outing for your learners, email Rhae Shawn Kabantu at cinemapark@sterkinekor.com. You can also download the Ster-Kinekor App on your Nokia, Samsung Android, iPhone or Blackberry phone for updates and to book from your mobile. To find out what other exciting promotions Ster-Kinekor has on offer, follow @sterkinekor on Twitter or Facebook at Ster-Kinekor Theatres.