Register Your School's Interest in the 2024 Kids In Space Education Program

The 2023 Kids in Space program with the Australian Space Agency and The Andy Thomas Space Foundation for 10,000 students, hundreds of teachers and 70+ schools across Australia has been a resounding success.

Check out the highlights from the student showcases and state/territory finals and the
professional development days for teachers held in every state/territory .

Registrations for Kids in Space 2024 have now closed but you can learn more about the program below.

What is Kids in Space?

Kids in Space is a sponsored space education program for each state and territory that offers industry links and real-world learning opportunities. 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

Kids in Space Launch - ATSF, ASA & ME-109

Kids in Space Launch - ATSF, ASA & ME-48

Kids in Space Launch - ATSF, ASA & ME-114

Kids in Space Launch - ATSF, ASA & ME-53

Kids in Space Launch - ATSF, ASA & ME-117

Kids in Space Launch - ATSF, ASA & ME-91

Selected Media Coverage of Kids in Space 2023

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2023 Makers Empire Combo App and Teacher Dashboard compressed

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We are still in the planning stages, however, we anticipate a $6,499 package similar to the one awarded to the 2023 Kids in Space schools, which comprised:

2+ teachers will participate in the Makers Empire Learning By Design program with guest speakers from the space industry.
1 x 12 months Makers Empire School Subscription (3D design software, teacher dashboard, 130 curriculum-aligned lesson plans, built-in assessment, online professional development (PD), ongoing support, updates and maintenance).
1 x brand-new space-themed challenge course.
1 x Flashforge Adventurer 4 Pro 3D printer and 5 rolls of PLA filament.
Hospitality for PD days and Showcase Days held in each state or territory.

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

What Do Schools Commit To?

Each participating school will:

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.

Participating teachers will:

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

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What Do Teachers Say About Kids in Space

“The innovation projects have offered our students real-life opportunities to apply design thinking strategies and understand the importance of prototyping. The Kids in Space project professional development was enjoyable, inspiring, outstanding, interesting and hands-on. It’s meant that we can take our pedagogies to the next level and stretch our students’ learning to outer space (excuse the pun). Makers Empire’s passion for innovative learning experiences is contagious.”

Jo Rea, Teacher

Scotch College, SA

“The Makers Empire – Andy Thomas Foundation Kids in Space Project was a comprehensive learning experience for both staff and students. Firstly building teachers’ knowledge with quality PD on space and Makers Empire enabled teachers to confidently teach the students. The students were highly engaged in the learning, empowered to problem solve and be creative to solve space issues whilst developing their skills on Makers Empire. The showcase event with other schools around the state was a highlight. I would highly recommend this project for schools to participate in.”

Rory Hunt, Principal

Ungarra Primary School, SA

“Makers Empire provides so much more than a great app but resources and connections to curriculum, industry and innovation in our society.”

Kate Tyrwhitt, Teacher

St Michael’s College, SA

“The Kids in Space Makers Empire Project allowed our children to collaborate whilst working in teams. It encouraged them to test, problem solve, and retest and as a result built children’s resilience.”

Julie Roether, Teacher

Ngutu College, SA

“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. SA

“I loved seeing the ‘out of the box thinking’ by our students & how they worked together to find solutions to their problems. This was the first time that our school had been involved in this project, so it was a wonderfully exciting and uncharted experience. In hosting the showcase – I loved seeing how beautifully our students represented Essington. I could not have been prouder of their engagement in the project, both throughout the term and at the showcase.”

Teacher

Essington School, NT

What are the Important Dates?

Andy Thomas & Makers Empire Showcase Day-39

Kids in Space Launch - ATSF, ASA & ME-24

Kids in Space Launch - ATSF, ASA & ME-78

Andy Thomas & Makers Empire Showcase Day-44

July 2023: expressions of interest open for the 2024 program
November 15th 2023: expressions of interest close
December 2023: successful schools are notified
February 2024: 3D printers shipped out to schools / Professional development days for teachers held in each state/territory
June-July 2024: Showcase day in each state/territory with state winners announced
October 2024: National Showcase day

Frequently Asked Questions

How many teachers/classes/students from our school can participate in Kids in Space?

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.

What year levels is Kids in Space appropriate for?

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.

Can you participate in Kids in Space if your school is already a Makers Empire customer/member?

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.

My school is a small school so we could only send one teacher to the PD days. Can we still apply?

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

Register Your School's Interest Now

Expressions of interest closed 15 November 2023 for the 2024 Kids in Space Program.

However, we will be delivering a range of sponsored education programs for industry partners in 2024 and beyond. Learn more and register your interest.

Register Your School's Interest in the 2024 Kids In Space Education Program

What is Kids in Space?

“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

Selected Media Coverage of Kids in Space 2023

What do Schools Receive?

What Do Schools Commit To?

What Do Teachers Say About Kids in Space

What are the Important Dates?

Frequently Asked Questions

Register Your School's Interest Now

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