The Andy Thomas Space Foundation (ATSF) and Makers Empire are delighted to invite Australian primary schools to register their interest for Kids in Space 2026.
Kids in Space is a sponsored space education program that offers both educators and learners real-world learning opportunities and exciting access to Australia’s growing space industry.
Designed to encourage younger students to engage with design challenges relating to the space industry, the program introduces learners to space technology and sparks curiosity about career opportunities within the field.
Delivered in 2024 with support from the 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, Kids in Space saw over 14,000 student participants across 110 schools.
The cohort included government, independent and Catholic students, spanning metropolitan to remote areas. During the delivery of the program, 44% of participating schools had a value below 1000 on the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA).
The Andy Thomas Space Foundation’s Kids in Space 2024 program, delivered by Makers Empire, is supported by the Australian Space Agency. It is currently impacting 14,000+ 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 to our new partners in 2024: 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.
Selected schools will be awarded a 3D Design package valued at $6,999.*
Contents include:
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.
Expressions of interest have been extended to 19 November 2025 for the 2026 Kids in Space Program.
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+ sponsored spots in 2024. So we want schools that can complete the full program of activities.
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, not least of which is 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.
Makers Empire partners with education departments, government, corporate sponsors, trusts and foundations to deliver schools industry programs to groups of schools. Check out our programs open to expressions of interest.
