Kids In Space Education Program

* Expressions of Interest have Closed for the 2023 Program *

Thank you for the hundreds of EOIs we received from teachers across Australia.

Interested in being part of a future program? You can register your school’s interest in taking part in a future Kids in Space or other sponsored program.

What is Kids in Space?

Following a successful pilot last year and a second pilot and launch event, Makers Empire is partnering 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. Register your school’s interest now to participate in a sponsored space education program for each state and territory that offers industry links and real-world learning opportunities.

“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 do Schools Receive?

Schools selected for Kids in Space will 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

What Do Teachers Say About Kids in Space

What are the Important Dates?

  • 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. 19 JUN, MON 9am – 4:15pm: Showcase Day, Term 2, Week 10

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. 21 JUN, WED 9am – 5pm: Showcase Day, Term 2, Week 9 (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 closed 22 November for the 2023 Program.

However, to join a waitlist for the next sponsored program, please fill in your details here and we will notify you when expressions of interest open for the next program in your state. 

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