2023 Kids In Space Education Program with the Andy Thomas Space Foundation and the Australian Space Agency

August 2023 Update: EOIs Open for 2024

Thank you for the almost 500 EOIs we received from teachers across Australia for the 2023 program. To register your school’s interest in the 2024 program, head over to our 2024 Kids in Space EOI page.

What is Kids in Space?

Following a successful pilot last year and a second pilot and launch event, Makers Empire partnered 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.

The 2023 Kids in Space program began in February with professional development and training for teachers in every Australian state and territory.

The 2023 Kids in Space program continued in July with showcase events for schools in every Australian state and territory where winning schools were announced.

The 2023 Kids in Space program will conclude with the national finals at the Australian Space Discovery Centre in Adelaide in October. Each of the state/territory’s winning teams of students will be flown to Adelaide to compete for the national title.

“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

What Do Schools Receive?

Schools selected for Kids in Space receive a $6,000 package including:

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 3D printer and 5 rolls of PLA filament.
Print credits to Makers Empire 3D print bureau service.
Hospitality for PD days and Showcase Days in each state.

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?

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

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

Makers Empire Andy Thomas Space Foundation Schools Program-11

Makers Empire Andy Thomas Space Foundation Schools Program-17

Makers Empire Andy Thomas Space Foundation Schools Program-25

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 Were the Important 2023 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

Project dates - national (all)

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

PD & showcase dates - each state and territory

QUEENSLAND

6 FEB, MON 8:15am – 4pm: PD Day 1, Term 1, Week 3
7 FEB, TUES 8:15am – 4pm: PD Day 2: Term 1, Week 3
13 JUN, TUES 8am – 4pm: Showcase Day, Term 2, Week 9

NORTHERN TERRITORY

9 FEB, THURS 8:15am – 4pm: PD Day 1, Term 1 Week 2
10 FEB, FRI 8:15am – 4pm: PD Day 2, Term 1, Week 2
15 JUN, THURS 8am – 4:15pm: Showcase Day, Term 2, Week 9

NEW SOUTH WALES

13 FEB, MON 8:30am – 4:15pm: PD Day 1: Term 1, Week 3
14 FEB, TUES 8:30am – 4pm: PD Day 2: Term 1, Week 3
23 JUN, FRI 9am – 5pm: Showcase Day, Term 2, Week 9 (note: new date!)

VICTORIA

13 FEB, MON 8:30am – 4:15pm: PD Day 1: Term 1, Week 3
14 FEB, TUES 8:30am – 4:00pm: PD Day 2: Week 3
28 JULY 9am – 4:15pm: Showcase Day: Term 3, week 3

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

16 FEB, THURS 8:30am – 4:15pm: PD Day 1, Term 1 , Week 3
17 FEB, FRI 8:30am – 4:15pm: PD Day 2, Term 1, Week 3
26 JUL, 9am – 5pm: Showcase Day, Term 3, Week 2 (note: new date!)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

16 FEB, THURS 8:30am – 4:15pm: PD Day 1, Term 1 , Week 3
17 FEB, FRI 8:30am – 4:15pm: PD Day 2, Term 1, Week 3
30 JUN, FRI 8:15am – 3:30pm: Showcase Day, Term 2, Week 10

TASMANIA

20 FEB, MON 8:30am – 4pm: PD Day 1, Term 1, Week 3
21 FEB, TUES 8:30am – 4pm: PD Day 2, Term 1, Week 3
28 JUNE, WED 9:15am – 4:45pm: Showcase Day, Term 2, Week 9

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

23 FEB THURS (times TBA): PD Day 1, Term 1, Week 4
24 FEB FRI (times TBA): PD Day 2, Term 1, Week 4
4 JULY TUES (times TBA): Showcase Day, Term 2, Week 10

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.

Expressions of Interest Have Opened for 2024

To register your school’s interest in the 2024 program, head over to our 2024 Kids in Space EOI page.

2023 Kids In Space Education Program with the Andy Thomas Space Foundation and the Australian Space Agency

August 2023 Update: EOIs Open for 2024

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

What Do Schools Receive?

What Do Schools Commit To?

What Do Teachers Say About Kids in Space

What Were the Important 2023 Dates?

QUEENSLAND

NORTHERN TERRITORY

NEW SOUTH WALES

VICTORIA

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

TASMANIA

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Frequently Asked Questions

Expressions of Interest Have Opened for 2024

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