Register for the 2024 challenge here
This is a FREE school challenge.
Join the Australian Virtual Astronaut Challenge!
Choose from several 9-step STEM design sprints based on challenges facing Artemis & the Australian space industry Scenarios
- Earth Observation: Milo Institute – Arizona State University
- Robotics: AROSE Lunar Rover
- Home on the Moon: Aldrin Family Foundation
- Growing Food in Space: Magnitude.io
- AI in Space
Missions at your own pace
Use the content on this site to deliver the program at your pace. A number of special events will also be made exclusively available to participants (dates tbc). There will also be a celebration event known as the Young Space Explorers held in Sydney Australia.
Mission 1: Introduction
Mission 2: Define the challenge
Mission 3: Identify the challenge
Mission 4: Brainstorm the solution
Mission 5: Design the solution
Mission 6: Prototype creation
Mission 7: Evaluate the design
Mission 8: Iterate your design
Mission 9: Communicate the Pitch
AROSE Lunar Rover Challenge
Closing date for the two submissions:
Semester 1- 28 June 2024
Semester 2 – 23 September 2024
Download the mission brief
All other scenarios
Submission date: September 23 at 11:59pm AEDT
Pitch Date – November date TBC
Young Space Explorers Event
A number of primary & high school teams will be selected to pitch their ideas to renowned space industry representatives and venture capitalists. This will occur in November!
Finalists for the 2023 AVA Challenge
High Schools
- Tara Anglican School for Girls
- Birrong Girls High School
- Catherine McAuley, Westmead
Primary Schools (for the first time in the 3 years of competition!)
- Epping Public School
- Methodist Ladies’ College
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):
- Feb 26 – Launch
- Apr 4 – Leadership in Space
- Apr 11 – Robotics
- May 9 – Earth Observation
- May 16 – Growing Food in Space
- May 23 – Home on the Moon
- May 30 – AI in Space
- June 6 – Telecommunications in Space
- June 13 – Space Tech
- Sept 4 – FAQs for submissions
Proudly supported by AWS InCommunities
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is committed to making a positive difference around the world. Whether it’s using technology to solve the world’s most pressing issues, or through our employees donating their time to support causes they care about, AWS is dedicated to building a world where every person has the opportunity to live a life of dignity on a healthy planet.
Executive Committee
Dr Scott Sleap
SISP Project Leader
Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence for Secondary Science Teaching
Commonwealth Bank Teaching Fellow
Ted Tagami
Past User Advisory Committee – Education Chair at ISS US National Lab
CoFounder of Magnitude
Contact Us
For enquiries regarding partnering with the AVA Challenge, please direct enquires to Ben Newsome
Email: support@fizzicseducation.com.au
Contributors
Jim Christensen
Executive Director of ShareSpace Education, the education arm of the Aldrin Family Foundation
Lori Waters
Space Instructor | Analog Astronaut | Astrobotany Researcher
Wendy Bode
Deputy Principal – Global Tropics Future Project
Commonwealth Bank Teaching Fellow
QLD Virtual STEM Academy
Ian Preston
Contact Us
For enquiries regarding about the AVA Challenge, please email us below;