We are delighted to share some of the incredible designs produced by students as part of the Perth Observatory Challenge. Primary school aged students from across Western Australia launched into the challenge course facilitated by Makers Empire and the Perth Observatory team. Students actively explored the Perth Observatory’s past, present, and future, honed valuable design skills, and then tackled a hefty challenge:
”Design something that could help us learn more about the sky, space and the universe. It could be something that helps astronomers right here on Earth, or a solution to send into space to help us explore the universe.”
After some hard fun and in response to the challenge, students submitted over 1100 designs made with the Makers Empire app. Here are just a few of the amazing designs selected by the Perth Observatory team.
Congratulations to all who created designs and discovered more about the exciting role astronomy plays in our lives!
The designer Jayfia says:
Cleans and makes videos of space. Picks up special space rocks.
The Perth Observatory team say:
Making the task of collecting rock samples easier would benefit geologists and astronomers. They are trying to piece together the information about the Solar System. The design was clear with identifiable and functional attachments.
The designer Ethan says:
Elevates things to space.
The Perth Observatory team say:
A left field idea, lifting payloads from the Earth’s surface requires a lot of fuel. This device would reduce the energy required and lower the cost of launches; an effective way to move things from earth into space. Although we do not have the technology for now, who knows for the future?
The designer Maddy says:
This robot generates food from its torso. It also has a radar mode and an entertainment mode, so there’s more room on the control panel and the astronauts don’t have to eat paste.
The Perth Observatory team say:
This would certainly be a bonus for astronauts living and working in space. It’s also likely to find uses back on Earth! One of the most complex designs for this Challenge. A clever design with careful thought on the robot’s movement. We liked that the designer had experimented and this was their 2nd version.
The designer Tyler says:
It has a telescope and radar towers to locate space junk floating around space. Then with the power of the battery it will refract the energy.
The Perth Observatory team say:
The designer has considered an important space concern of Space junk, a novel approach incorporating a solution. It’s a big problem for rocket launches which need a pathway through. Moving it out of the way is a great solution. A good, detailed design. May need more research into refraction.
The designer Isaak says:
This is an atom extractor. This invention can break down atoms from outer space. There are lots of things we don’t know about space; this helps.
The Perth Observatory team say:
A clever design to image an atom extractor addressing a complex idea. Being able to break down atoms for use elsewhere reduces the need for the spaceship to bring them from Earth or the Moon. Being able to cut costs in the space program is always welcome. Who know what we still do not know about space at the atom level.
The designer Jackson says:
Allows you to look for alien life and send out radio signals through space to try communicate through sound waves and the wheels can adjust.
The Perth Observatory team say:
Complex idea using thermal and sound waves to connect and communicate with aliens. Searching for life in the Milky Way is an ongoing quest for astronomers. This device may help in that quest. The design reflects the thinking of how the idea could be achieved.
The designer Eloise says:
This blows away clouds so astronomers can see the stars on a cloudy night.
The Perth Observatory team say:
A clever idea to help astronomers to explore space: what a novel clever solution to the problem of seeing stars from Earth. One of our biggest problems is the cloud cover; unless observatories are located high on mountain tops, clouds can block the view. If we can create a vision tunnel for the telescopes to operate 100% of the time what a great outcome.
The designer Yenuli says:
This is a flying camera that can be sent up into space. It is based on a rover and can land on many different planets.
The Perth Observatory team say:
Complex idea using thermal and sound waves to connect and communicate with aliens. Searching for life in the Milky Way is an ongoing quest for astronomers. This device may help in that quest. The design reflects the thinking of how the idea could be achieved.
The designer Ana says:
This tower is for people to turn off their lights for a period of time to cause less light pollution.
The Perth Observatory team say:
We loved that this model explored the issue of light pollution. The design incorporated a coordinated community response for getting everyone to switch off all lights at a set time. This is benefit not only for astronomers to explore the dark night sky but everyone. The design not only had a clock but also a visual to show when lights are to be off.
This Project has been made possible through support and funding by the WA Government’s Community Heritage Grants Program 2024-25 to deliver this program to schools in Western Australia.
