Announcement: AVA Challenge is now an official Adjacent Event for the
International Astronautical Congress
on 29.SEP — 03.OCT.2025
In collaboration with the IAC, Australian Space Agency & the NSW Department of Education, student finalists of the AVA Challenge will have the opportunity to the attend IAC25 public day on 3 October 2025 to showcase their work.
Register for the 2025 challenge here
This is a FREE School Challenge: Register now!
Australian Virtual Astronaut (AVA) Challenge
You can join the AVA Challenge at any time throughout the year!
Complete a 9 step STEM design sprint based on challenges facing NASA’s Artemis and the Australian space industry. AVA teams will choose from a set of six scenarios and design a solution presented in the form of either a 90-second video pitch or poster. A number of teams will then be selected to attend the Young Space Explorers event on October 3 at the International Astronautical Congress in Sydney.
Scenarios
- Earth Observation: Milo Institute – ASU
- Robotics: AROSE Lunar Rover Challenge
- Home on the Moon: Aldrin Family Foundation
- Growing Food in Space: Magnitude.io
- AI in Space
- Telecommunications in Space
2025 Planned Webinars
Throughout the year are special webinars with space industry experts.
Registration is free and proudly supported by AWS in Communities.
Dates for webinars (12pm Sydney time for most dates):
- Feb 20 – Introduction (11am AEDT)
- Mar 20 – Growing Food in Space: Magnitude.io
- Apr 10 – Robotics: AROSE Lunar Rover Challenge
- May 22 – Home on the Moon: Aldrin Family Foundation
- June 5 – Earth Observation: Milo Institute – ASU
- June 19 – AI in Space
- July 24 – Telecommunications in Space: Optus
- July 31 – FAQ’s for submissions
- Aug 8 – Submissions due at 11:59pm AEDT
- Aug 28 – Finalist pitches
Key Information to Teachers on Delivery
This program has been designed to be delivered flexibly. Therefore teachers can use as much or as little of the materials as they wish. It could be finished in a couple of lessons or over a number of weeks. FAQs
Register your class
Be quick to register and secure your young astronauts’ place in this exciting challenge. Teachers register to get your unique webinar link.
9 Missions, run at your own pace
The AVA schedule includes several 45 minute live streamed webinars (also recorded), with mission content on the AVA website to support teachers to deliver the program. A number of special events will also be made exclusively available to participants. There will also be a celebration event known as the Young Space Explorers held in Sydney Australia.
Who is the challenge for?
The challenge is ideal for students in Years 5 – 10 and specifically suited to students studying iSTEM, Science, Mandatory Technology, or primary science and technology classes. There are different entry levels for the challenge:
Stage 3 – Years 5 and 6
Stage 4 – Years 7 and 8
Stage 5 – Years 9 and 10 (Eligible for Phase 2)
Register for the 2025 challenge here
This is a FREE School Challenge: Register now!
