Register for the 2025 challenge here
You can join the AVA Challenge at any time throughout the year!
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
- Telecommunications 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
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 times):
- 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
Proudly partnered with the NSW Department of Education
Executive Committee
Dr Scott Sleap CF
STEM Enrichment Coordinator| Curriculum Secondary Learners
NSW Department of Education
Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence for Secondary Science Teaching
Commonwealth Bank Teaching Fellow
Ben Newsome CF
Churchill Fellow
AMP Tomorrow Maker
UTS Chancellor’s Award for Excellence
Founder of Fizzics Education
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
Ian Preston
Wendy Bode
Deputy Principal – Global Tropics Future Project
Commonwealth Bank Teaching Fellow
QLD Virtual STEM Academy
Lori Waters
Space Instructor | Analog Astronaut | Astrobotany Researcher
Dr Frazer Thorpe
Plants for Space Education and Engagement Manager
Plants For Space – ARC Centre of Excellence
Dr Lieke van der Hulst
Plants for Space Engagement & Communications Officer
Plants For Space – ARC Centre of Excellence
Tully Mahr
NASA JPL Intern 2023
MILO Mission Academy for Lunar Exploration
Contact Us
For enquiries regarding about the AVA Challenge, please email us below;