Sarsha Mennell is an early childhood teacher and researcher with more than 20 years of experience supporting young children’s learning and development. Her work centres on innovative, research-informed approaches that bring together STEM play, creativity, and digital technologies in meaningful, age-appropriate ways.

A PhD candidate at Curtin University, Sarsha is investigating teachers’ pedagogical agency in integrating digital technologies within Western Australian kindergarten classrooms. Her research explores how educators make decisions, practice professional judgement, and create rich learning environments that empower children as curious, capable learners.

Sarsha is the Children’s Technology Cove Coordinator at the Curtin University Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, where she also works as a practitioner research assistant in the Education Team. In this role, she designs, coordinates, and facilitates Stay and Play programs at the Children’s Technology Cove and through school and early learning centre outreach initiatives. She also contributes to professional learning programs for educators and families, advocating the role of digital technologies in high-quality early childhood pedagogy.

Her ongoing work reflects a deep commitment to supporting educators, strengthening digital literacy and computational thinking in the early years, and shaping future-focused learning communities grounded in creativity, play, and pedagogical agency.

First digital memory

I remember going into the new technology classroom at school, and there were desks with large bulky square computers and keyboards sittings on rows of desks. Now I have a laptop that travels everywhere, and I use my computer to entertain, learn, play, create, communicate and research.