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2023 Kids In Space Education Program with the Andy Thomas Space Foundation and the Australian Space Agency

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August 2023 Update: EOIs Open for 2024

Thank you for the almost 500 EOIs we received from teachers across Australia for the 2023 program. To register your school’s interest in the 2024 program, head over to our 2024 Kids in Space EOI page. 

What is Kids in Space?

Following a successful pilot last year and a second pilot and launch event, Makers Empire partnered with The Australian Space Agency and The Andy Thomas Space Foundation to deliver a new, national space education program for 65+ schools throughout Australia called Kids in Space. 

The 2023 Kids in Space program began in February with professional development and training for teachers in every Australian state and territory. 

The 2023 Kids in Space program continued in July with showcase events for schools in every Australian state and territory where winning schools were announced.

The 2023 Kids in Space program will conclude with the national finals at the Australian Space Discovery Centre in Adelaide in October. Each of the state/territory’s winning teams of students will be flown to Adelaide to compete for the national title.  

“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 

 

 
Kids in Space Launch - ATSF, ASA & ME-109
Kids in Space Launch - ATSF, ASA & ME-48
Kids in Space Launch - ATSF, ASA & ME-114
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Kids in Space Launch - ATSF, ASA & ME-117
Kids in Space Launch - ATSF, ASA & ME-91

What Do Schools Receive?

Learning by Design
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Schools selected for Kids in Space receive a $6,000 package including:
 

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* will be flown to Adelaide, SA, for the national showcase event at the Australian Space Discovery Centre.

*A team is limited to 1-2 teachers + 6-8 students.

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.
  • Attend 2 face-to-face professional learning days (2 days of PD) in your state or territory.
  • Attend, with nominated students, the Showcase Day (1/2 day) in your state or territory.
  • 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.
  • Participate in data collection and share their experiences with others
  • 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.
  • Attend 2 face-to-face professional learning days (2 days of PD) in your state or territory.
  • Attend, with nominated students, the Showcase Day (1/2 day) in your state or territory.
  • 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.
  • Participate in data collection and share their experiences with others
Makers Empire Andy Thomas Space Foundation Schools Program-18
Makers Empire Andy Thomas Space Foundation Schools Program-11
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Makers Empire Andy Thomas Space Foundation Schools Program-25

What Do Teachers Say About Kids in Space

What Were the Important 2023 Dates?

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Kids in Space Launch - ATSF, ASA & ME-24
Kids in Space Launch - ATSF, ASA & ME-78
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  • September 2022: expressions of interest open for 2023 program
  • November 25th 2022: expressions of interest close
  • December 2022: successful schools are notified  
  • February 2023: 3D printers shipped out to schools / Professional development days for teachers held in each state/territory 
  • June 2023: Showcase day in each state/territory
  • July 2023: expressions of interest open for the 2024 program
  • September 2023: winners from each state/territory announced
  • October 2023: National Showcase day at the Australian Space Discovery Centre / State/territory winners flown to Adelaide

QUEENSLAND

  1. 6 FEB, MON 8:15am – 4pm: PD Day 1, Term 1, Week 3
  2. 7 FEB, TUES 8:15am – 4pm: PD Day 2: Term 1, Week 3
  3. 13 JUN, TUES 8am – 4pm: Showcase Day, Term 2, Week 9

NORTHERN TERRITORY

  1. 9 FEB, THURS 8:15am – 4pm: PD Day 1, Term 1 Week 2
  2. 10 FEB, FRI 8:15am – 4pm: PD Day 2, Term 1, Week 2
  3. 15 JUN, THURS 8am – 4:15pm: Showcase Day, Term 2, Week 9

NEW SOUTH WALES

  1. 13 FEB, MON 8:30am – 4:15pm: PD Day 1: Term 1, Week 3
  2. 14 FEB, TUES 8:30am – 4pm: PD Day 2: Term 1, Week 3
  3. 23 JUN, FRI 9am – 5pm: Showcase Day, Term 2, Week 9 (note: new date!)

VICTORIA

  1. 13 FEB, MON 8:30am – 4:15pm: PD Day 1: Term 1, Week 3
  2. 14 FEB, TUES 8:30am – 4:00pm: PD Day 2: Week 3
  3. 28 JULY 9am – 4:15pm: Showcase Day: Term 3, week 3

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

  1. 16 FEB, THURS 8:30am – 4:15pm: PD Day 1, Term 1 , Week 3
  2. 17 FEB, FRI 8:30am – 4:15pm: PD Day 2, Term 1, Week 3
  3. 26 JUL, 9am – 5pm: Showcase Day, Term 3, Week 2 (note: new date!)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

  1. 16 FEB, THURS 8:30am – 4:15pm: PD Day 1, Term 1 , Week 3
  2. 17 FEB, FRI 8:30am – 4:15pm: PD Day 2, Term 1, Week 3
  3. 30 JUN, FRI 8:15am – 3:30pm: Showcase Day, Term 2, Week 10

TASMANIA

  1. 20 FEB, MON 8:30am – 4pm: PD Day 1, Term 1, Week 3
  2. 21 FEB, TUES 8:30am – 4pm: PD Day 2, Term 1, Week 3
  3. 28 JUNE, WED 9:15am – 4:45pm: Showcase Day, Term 2, Week 9

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

  1. 23 FEB THURS  (times TBA): PD Day 1, Term 1, Week 4
  2. 24 FEB FRI  (times TBA): PD Day 2, Term 1, Week 4
  3. 4 JULY TUES  (times TBA): Showcase Day, Term 2, Week 10 

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 3-8 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. 

Expressions of Interest Have Opened for 2024

To register your school’s interest in the 2024 program, head over to our 2024 Kids in Space EOI page. 

Click here

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