The Starter Course
10 creative skills in 10 weeks!
Where Creators are Born
Teens create together, not consume alone
Facilitated online
creative classes
for teens 10-17 anywhere in NZ
The mission
NO MORE DOOMSCROLL
Our mission is to help humanity overcome the Consumer Virus.
Teens spend on average 8 hours on screen every day.
And we are sick of DOOMSCROLL and SOCIAL ANXIETY destroying connection in our society.
We are building a platform around helping people find their unique talents, strengths, and creativity.
Nowhere else will they get to try so many creative options in one place.
Ten weeks, ten subjects, ten portfolio pieces
| Week | Subject focus | App | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 |
2D art
|
Piskel | |
| Week 2 |
Character design
|
Hero Forge | |
| Week 3 |
Animation
|
Brush Ninja | |
| Week 4 |
Music production
|
Soundtrap | |
| Week 5 |
3D modelling
|
Blockbench | |
| Week 6 |
Graphic design
|
Figma | |
| Week 7 |
Coding & storytelling
|
Twine | |
| Week 8 |
Visual design
|
Canva | |
| Week 9 |
Game design
|
GDevelop | |
| Week 10 |
Video editing
|
Canva |
Skill assessment during Starter Course
We assess the skill level of creators as they go through the Starter Course so we can set them up with appropriate challenges.
Skills that grow through that weekly rhythm:
-
Belonging
Warm welcomes so new creators feel at home.
-
Collaboration
Make alongside teens who share the same interests.
-
Self-expression
Room for niche interests and bold ideas.
-
Confidence
Share work in a positive moderated space that builds self-esteem.
-
Feedback
Supportive peers who help each other improve.
-
Finishing projects
Structured challenges and reward paths that enable steady progress.
Meet your Facilitators
Technical Support & Encouragement every step of the way.
Kane Stewart
Founder · Session facilitator · Ex-teacher
With an Honours BCom in Finance from the University of Melbourne, Kane worked at video game studio Cerebral Fix before becoming a qualified high school teacher in NZ.
He started Egg Academy nearly 5 years ago as an after-school programme, seeing how young people light up doing the thing they are passionate about, and how often the education system does not give them room for that.
Juniper Taylor
Co-founder · Session facilitator · Creative
Juniper studied music production, then worked in design and software development, and he has been building games since he was 11. He came alive when he was making something, not when he was performing in a classroom.
He joined Kane as co-founder nearly 5 years ago, bringing that same energy to sessions. He is naturally good at drawing quiet or cautious creators into the room at their own pace.
Become a creator not a consumer
Starter Course logistics
Pricing & sessions
$25 + GST per week
- 10 weeks for the Starter Course
- 2 hour live online sessions, 4-6pm Monday to Thursday
- Come to at least one per week, or more if you want extra time for creating
Computer requirements
- Laptop or desktop (Chromebooks OK)
- Microphone and mouse
- Reliable internet
- Headphones recommended
- Full tech specs
Stop consuming. Start creating.
Testimonials
“Foster has thrived in the Egg Academy”
He is surrounded by people who speak the same 'language', offer him fun opportunities to expand his knowledge, and do so in a safe and moderated environment.
Hayley Hayes, Parent
Beyond the Starter Course
Further challenges
Creators start to make friends with other young creators and explore further challenges still within the same framework of the 2 hour creative sessions.
Community & events
There are also many community events, initiatives and activities to help them connect through creativity, grow their skills, and contribute to the community.
EXTRA!
Live online · Free tour
Open Day
We invite you to come have a look at the Egg Academy!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Matching guides
Is Egg Academy online or in person?
Egg Academy's core programme is online, weekday sessions from home via egg.ac (Mon-Fri, 4-6pm NZ).
Before starting, families join a 15-minute online family check-in (parent present).
We also run optional special events and local meetups through the year, chances for young creators to meet their online buddies in person, which many look forward to. These are for members who have completed the Starter Course and are not part of the regular weekday timetable. See upcoming events.
How does Egg Academy work?
Egg Academy is facilitator-led, live weekday sessions on egg.ac, not pre-recorded videos teens watch alone. The core timetable is Monday to Friday, 4:00-6:00pm NZ. We open other session times when demand grows (for example homeschool-friendly slots or older-teen groups).
What a session looks like: gathering, community brief (updates, challenges, and events), creative time, then showcase. Teens work on real projects, games, art, animation, music, video, and often share their screen to show work in progress or present in showcase.
Participation fits your teen: camera optional, text chat always fine, and quiet or breakout spaces when the main room feels like too much. Groups are approximately 10 teens per facilitator, grouped close in age where possible.
Starter Course first: 10 weeks, one new digital skill each week with set facilitator tasks. After that, membership lets teens branch into specialisation challenges and personal projects in the same session rhythm.
We also run optional special events so creators can meet the online friends they have been making. Full detail: how a session works.
What does it cost, and can we try?
The Starter Course is $25 + GST per week ($249 + GST for the full 10-week term) - small-group, facilitated sessions across 10 digital skills. Ongoing Community Access is $40/month (GST inclusive, about $1 a day) after the Starter Course.
You're welcome to tune into a live session to see how it works, before you decide to join. Just get in contact. If it's not working out, cancel the Starter Course before your first two weeks to get a full refund.
Questions about what we offer? See membership options, funding for partners, get in touch, or book a free family check-in.
Who can join, and what do we need?
10 years and older.
Right now we are summoning creators from all across New Zealand: soon, all over planet Earth.
Our online sessions require a basic computer or laptop, a microphone, a mouse, and a good internet connection. Chromebooks are OK for our starter and most intermediate courses.
Computer requirements
- ChromeOS / Windows 10 or 11 / macOS
- 2.0 GHz processor
- 4GB RAM
- A graphics card with at least 1GB of dedicated or shared video RAM
We check technology before sessions begin during the student check-in, so you don't need to worry if you are not sure.
Parents need to ensure their child has the required technology to join sessions.
Weekly time: what if we miss?
The commitment is a weekly 2hr session (but you are welcome to attend more at no extra cost).
We have multiple timeslots available, so you are welcome to swap times. Educational content is available via video so students can catch up in their own time. They can seek help outside of session through live communications.
Learning styles and moderating the space?
We fully support the creativity that diverse interests bring.
Our digital content with live facilitators allows us to support multiple learning styles. Video tutorials let students learn at their own pace, and live sessions provide time for check-ins so students aren't getting stuck.
Students work at the skill level that is appropriate for them, as the creative activities give space for personal expression and aptitudes. Students can determine their level of social involvement, so they can participate without feeling pressured. Quiet spaces are available for breaks from interactive elements, and they can communicate directly with a facilitator for help.
We actively monitor the platform, ensuring all content and language are appropriate.
For privacy reasons we do not allow students to share full names online.
For any behavioural issues, we have a carefully designed behaviour management plan, which we can share on request via our contact page.
Next train to Egg Academy
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For new creators to begin their Starter Course.
