Aurora Inclusive Space Education Program & Exhibition at the Australian Space Discovery Centre

In 2024, Makers Empire partnered for the third time with The Andy Thomas Space Foundation (ATSF) to deliver its inclusion initiative program, Aurora, to more South Australian (SA) schools. With support from the Australian Space Agency and the Maras Foundation, the ATSF’s Aurora program provides engaging and accessible space education opportunities designed specifically for students and young people living with a disability. 

The project included students and young people from 13-25 years recognised to be living with disabilities including Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, ADHD, mental health conditions, and other learning disabilities. Special schools, alternative education facilities, and schools with disability units were invited to participate and school groups with significant representation of students and young people living with Autism Spectrum Disorder were given priority.

SA schools selected for 2024 were Compass Catholic Community, Roma Mitchell Secondary College Disability Unit, Springbank Secondary College Disability Unit, Clare High School Disability Unit, Riverland Special School, Craigmore High School Disability Unit, and Woodville High School Disability Unit.

During August and September, students from the schools visited the Australian Space Discovery Centre. The visits were held as private sessions and adaptations were made to accommodate the needs of each group including access to wheelchair-accessible parking, rearrangement of exhibits to allow easier access, and lower volume levels for exhibits featuring sounds. The sessions were individualised for each group and included a Fact and Fiction session led by the centre’s Space Communicators, time to explore the galleries, and viewing of the Jarli film, which is about an Australian girl who is headed for the stars.

During September and October, Makers Empire visited each school to deliver a 3D design and printing workshop. Each workshop was tailored to meet the needs of students and teachers, and included an introduction to Makers Empire’s 3D design software; learning to design space-themed models; students creating 3D designs in response to the Aurora Mission and using the photographs taken at the Australian Space Discovery Centre and inspiration; an introduction to 3D printing; and 3D printer training including installation, operation, and troubleshooting.

Students were asked to respond to one of two design thinking challenges:

1. To get to space I will need…
2. When I get to space I will need… 

During October, students continued to design their solutions to the above challenges with the help of their teachers and support staff. Students each completed a template, with support, to describe their 3D designs, and to explain how their model related to the Aurora Mission and their own space learning. Students’ designs were then 3D printed at each school by teachers in time for a public exhibition in the Australian Space Discovery Centre.