Register Your School's Interest in the 2025 Kids In Space Education Program

The Andy Thomas Space Foundation (ATSF) and Makers Empire are delighted to invite Australia primary schools to register their interest in participating in ATSF’s Kids in Space 2025. 

What is Kids in Space?

Andy Thomas Space Foundation’s Kids in Space, delivered by Makers Empire, is a sponsored space education program for each Australian state and territory that offers industry links and real-world learning opportunities. Now in its third year, Kids in Space is designed to encourage younger students to engage with the nation’s growing space ecosystem, introduce them to space technology and different jobs within the space industry and spark their interest in a space career. 

“Participation in the project is a learning experience not to be missed. Your students will learn from you and you will learn from them. Collaboration, communication, creativity and problem-solving skills will be enhanced as you progress through the design thinking process with space in mind.”
Michael Cannavan, Teacher, Cowandilla Primary School,

What is the Kids in Space 2024 program?

The Andy Thomas Space Foundation’s Kids in Space 2024, delivered by Makers Empire, is supported by the Australian Space Agency. It is currently impacting 16,000 students, hundreds of teachers and 110+ schools across Australia. Check out the highlights from the student showcases and state/territory finals.

The Kids in Space 2024 schools comprise government, independent and Catholic schools in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas. 49% of schools are located in regional, rural and remote areas and 44% of schools are schools with a value below 1000 on the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA). 

Grateful thanks our valued partners who helped make 2024 our biggest year so far: Northern Territory’s Department of Education, iLAuNCH Trailblazer, Victorian Department of Education, Catholic Education South Australia, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools, and the Milner Road Foundation.

What do Schools Receive?

We are still in the planning stages, however, we anticipate a package worth $6,999 for schools comprising:
 

At the showcase days held in each state or territory, a team from one of the schools will be selected as the state or territory winner. This winning team (limited to 1-2 teachers + 6-8 students) will be flown to Adelaide, SA, for the national showcase at the Australian Space Discovery Centre.

 

What Do Schools Commit To?

  • Provide release for 2.5 days for 2-5 participating classroom teachers (not IT technicians or non-teaching staff).
  • Support capacity building of teachers through facilitation of ‘flow-on’ professional learning at their sites.
  • Share program activities in school newsletters, social media accounts and websites where possible. Please tag the Andy Thomas Space Foundation and Makers Empire where you can. 
  • If your school wins the state/territory final, support your winning teachers and students to travel to the national finals at the Australian Space Discovery Centre in November. Makers Empire will provide a bursary to cover flights and accomodation. 
  • Attend 2 face-to-face professional learning days (2 days of PD) in your state or territory and organise transport to and from the venue.
  • Attend, with nominated students, the Showcase Day (1/2 day) in your state or territory and organise transport to and from the venue. 
  • Participate in professional learning communities.
  • Design, trial and document a learning plan that uses 3D modelling and design based on learning design principles and the Australian Curriculum. Learning plan to be based around space and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Attend the national finals at the Australian Space Discovery Centre in November with 4-6 students (only if your school wins the state/territory final). Makers Empire will provide a bursary for travel costs so you can book suitable flights and accomodation for you and your students.
  • Participate in data collection and share their experiences with others.

What Do Teachers Say About Kids in Space

What are the Important Dates?

  • August 2024: expressions of interest open for the 2025 program
  • November 15th 2024: expressions of interest close
  • December 2024: successful schools are notified  
  • February 2025: 3D printers shipped out to schools / Professional development days for teachers held in each state/territory 
  • June-July 2025: Showcase day in each state/territory with state winners announced
  • October 2025: National Showcase day

Frequently Asked Questions

We can accommodate 2-5 teachers per school (more by negotiation) for the professional development days. We can accommodate unlimited classes and students in a school to do the Kids in Space program. We can accommodate 4-6 students per class and an accompanying teacher for the showcase days. 

The Kids in Space program has been designed for grades 3-6 students. If you would like to do Kids in Space with other grade levels please email us at info@makersempire.com with the subject ‘Kids in Space grade inquiry’ and we will see what we can do. 

Yes, absolutely! If your school is chosen for Kids in Space, you will receive all of the benefits on top of your existing Makers Empire subscription: your Makers Empire subscription will simply be extended for another year.

Sure! We have had many smaller, regional and area schools participate in our programs before. We encourage all interested schools to apply. 

Yes, selected schools are required to participate in all activities. We received almost 700 expressions of interest from schools for 110+ spots in 2024. Kids in Space is made possible because of the support of partners and sponsors.

Yes, definitely. Not being selected for a previous program is no reflection on your school. There are many factors that we consider when choosing schools, including available funding for your state/territory. This program is always extremely competitive, too, so please do apply!

Yes, definitely. We are looking at doing an alumni program for schools that have previously participated in Kids in Space. 

Selected Media Coverage of Kids in Space

Expressions of interest close 15 November 2024 for the 2025 Kids in Space Program, however, we encourage you to apply as early as possible to assist with our planning. 

Please use your school email
This helps us plan locations for our PD and showcase days in your state or territory
Please note that you will need to cover teacher relief (TRT) for these day and transport to and from events for teachers and students.
We recommend discussing and confirming this before submitting your EOI.
This is for administration purposes only and does not affect the school selection process.

Share this: