Australian Virtual Astronaut Challenge
Mission 1 | Introduction
Welcome to AVA 2022
Hear from space industry representatives and design experts from Australia and around the world. Learn about the Australian Virtual Astronaut (AVA) challenge structure and opportunities for students.
Register for the 2023 challenge here
Special Guest: Mani Thuru, AWS Head of Space & Satellite for Asia Pacific and Japan on the kickoff webinar on February 17 at 12:00pm AEDT!
2023 AVA Challenge Launch
Are you up to the challenge?
February 17 at 12:00 pm AEDT, we will introduce the challenge and our five exciting scenarios that have been developed to engage students in an authentic design challenge.
This mission in the 2023 Australian Virtual Astronaut Challenge webinar you will;
- hear from Mani Thuru, AWS Head of Space & Satellite for Asia Pacific and Japan
- learn about how you can engage your students using the free resources available from the AVA website
- be introduced to the challenge and find out how students can work in teams to solve a range of authentic space-related challenges
- learn more about our five unique scenarios that will provide student agency and choice
- find out about the amazing people contributing to the AVA challenge
- hear about potential mentoring opportunities for your students
- learn more about the Young Space Explores event scheduled for December this year.
The Australian Virtual Astronaut Challenge is held over 9 steps and is designed to be run at your own pace. . In this time students are to develop a design solution from one of our five exciting scenarios.
Students are to produce either a 90-second video or a poster outlining their design solution. Each week the AVA team will publish helpful videos, worksheets and provide resources to assist students on their journey into space design.
Part 1 – The Big Picture (recording of the 2022 launch)
The 2022 Australian Virtual Astronaut (AVA) Challenge was officially launched by Ben Newsome (Fizzics Education) during this webinar. Special guest speaker Keegan Buzza (Director of Communications) Australian Space Agency discusses the big picture for the Australian space industry. Ted Tagami (User Advisory Committee – Education Chair at ISS US National Lab) provides background on the international space industry and the concept of producing food in space. (20:58 Minutes)
Part 2 – Welcome to AVA 2023 – Ted Tagami (recording of the 2023 launch)
Ted Tagami (User Advisory Committee – Education Chair at ISS US National Lab & CoFounder of Magnitude) sets the broad picture for the AVA 2023 challenge. (2:11 minutes)
Part 3 – Technology in Space (recording of the 2023 launch)
Mani Thiru, AWS Head of Space & Satellite for Asia Pacific and Japan describes the many aspects of space technology that is supported by AWS and opportunities for space careers in the near future (42:32 minutes)
Part 4 – Industry snapshot – Australian Space Agency (recording of the 2023 launch)
Alice Fairey (Australian Space Agency) gives an overview of the space industry in Australia and opportunities for students across a broad range of fields over the coming years. (7:44 minutes).
Part 5 – 2023 AVA FAQs (recording of the 2023 launch)
Ben Newsome (Fizzics Education) covers some of the FAQs for the AVA challenge. (9:46 minutes)
About AWS Aerospace & Satellite Solutions
Ben Newsome (Fizzics Education) speaks with Jasminder Hayer (AWS Solutions Architect for Aerospace & Satellite Solutions, Asia Pacific Japan) about the work AWS does for organisations in space around the world (7:12 minutes)
MILO Mission Academy with David Thomas
David Thomas, Executive Director at the Milo Space Science Institute at Arizona State University describes the work done around the world to enable space science to be more economical (8:16 minutes)
2023 AVA Challenge Scenarios
Your students choose one of the following five scenarios that follow authentic space missions from the US and/or Australia.
1. Earth Observation: Milo Institute – Arizona State University
This earth observation mission is modelled on the Arizona State University, Milo Institutes ‘Mission Academy’ which was originally designed for university students. In this mission, teams will develop a satellite design concept that will meet the NASA Artemis science goal of understanding planetary processes and will meet one or more of NASA’s Decadal Survey objectives.
2. Robotics: Trailblazer – The Australian Space Agency
In this mission, students will look to be part of the joint ‘Trailblazer’ mission between NASA and the Australian Space Agency. Students will design a semi-autonomous lunar rover. The rover would be sent to the moon and controlled from earth to collect lunar soil (regolith) with the aim to extract oxygen from the oxides in the soil.
3. Home on the Moon: Aldrin Family Foundation
In this scenario, students have the mission to imagine a ‘Family Home Outpost’ on the moon. This project was originally developed by the Aldrin Family Foundation in the United States. The Family Home Outpost must provide a livable and sustainable habitat for a family and potential guests.
4. Growing Food in Space: Magnitude.io
This mission is brought to you by our partners Magnitude.io. In this scenario, you are a developer of the next ExoLab space mission onto the International Space Station, the Moon or Mars. The ExoLab program is about to launch its 10th mission to the space station in October 2022, which will be a living case study for this mission scenario.
5. AI in Space (NEW)
This NEW mission looks at how artificial intelligence is being used in space missions. In this mission, teams will develop an AI concept that will meet the needs of the space industry
Use the AVA website to guide your class through a range of supportive resources that generally follow the NSW Department of Education’s iSTEM engineering design process. Challenge your students to design solutions that use resources effectively.
Students have to design a solution to one of the five scenarios and pitch their ideas in either poster or video format.
Due date for the poster or video
17/11/23 at 11:59pm AEST
Teaching and Learning Resources
Below are some downloadable resources, custom videos, and websites links that will support teachers to deliver the Mission 1 content.
Suggested Learning Sequence
This is designed to be run at your class’s pace.
Our expert curriculum designers have developed a suggested Mission 1 learning sequence for teachers. The following is for the full set of AVA resources, however, teachers are encouraged to only use activities that are most suitable for their own class and school setting.
Sub Mission 1: Set The Scene Watch About Artemis and future habitation challenges video to provide context to the challenge around NASA’s Artemis Program.
Sub Mission 2: iSTEM Process Introduce the iSTEM Engineering Design process. Download the poster and place it around the classroom. Use the iSTEM Process guide to describe different activities.
Sub Mission 3: Select Teams Get students to select teams and roles. Watch AVA2021 video about the six characteristics of an effective team and get students to complete a skills audit and select their team with the help of our handy AVA worksheet.
Extension: Get students to complete the Multiple Intelligences (MI) survey. Students to determine their core characteristics as a learner using the guide. Students to select teams based on the results. Teams with the most diverse intelligences are the most likely to be successful. (Most suitable for grades 9 & 10).
Sub Mission 4: Select Your Scenario Now introduce the five possible AVA 2022 scenarios, Earth Observation, Robotics, Home on the Moon, Growing Food in Space and AI in Space. Get teams to use the Choose a Scenario worksheet to evaluate the scenarios by outlining the pros and cons for each. Once evaluated students are to select and justify their mission scenario selection.
Sub Mission 5: Research Scenarios Once the students have chosen their scenario, they can then complete some further research. The AVA team have curated a number of resources shown below to assist.
Sub Mission 6: Bitmoji Exercise High School students can create their own space-themed Bitmoji. Watch the video instructions from Dr Sleap and Lori and download the Bitmoji worksheet for more instructions.
Sub Mission 7: Team Identity Students to build team identity by designing their own mission patch. Students to view ISS Science video on ‘making your own mission patch’ and download the AVA Design a Mission Patch worksheet.
Downloadable Resources
Scenario 1: Earth Observation Design Brief
The earth observation scenario is based on the University of Arizona’s Milo Institute. This resource provides the context and brief for students to start their mission.
Scenario 2: Robotics Design Brief
The robotics scenario is based on the Australian Space Agencies and NASA’s Trailblazer program. This resource provides the context and brief for students to start their mission.
Scenario 3: Home on the Moon
The Home on the Moon scenario is based on the Aldrin Family Foundation program from the US. This resource provides the context and brief for students to start their mission.
Scenario 4: Growing Food in Space
The Growing Food in Space scenario is based on the Mangnitude.io ExoLab program. This resource provides the context and brief for students to start their mission.
Scenario 5: AI in Space
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence offers opportunities to explore to the adoption of AI in a wide array of fields relating to space. This resource provides the context and brief for students to start their mission.
iSTEM Engineering Design Process
The iSTEM process developed by the NSW Department of Education is an industry-recognised engineering design process and scaffolds the understanding and application of design thinking.
iSTEM Process Guide
In this document, each stage/cog of the iSTEM process is outlined with key questions to ask students and possible actions your students would need to undertake when completing each stage of the process.
Selecting Your Team
In this document we discuss what makes a good team and students undertake a skills audit. Teachers may use the Multiple Intelligences survey to help inform the skills audit. Students then select their team and assign rolls based on skills.
Multiple Intelligences Survey
This is a survey instrument that you can get students to complete which will help determine your students intelligence profile. The purpose is to identify different strengths to help inform team selections.
Multiple Intelligences Guide
The Multiple Intelligence guide is to assist students to determine their core characteristics as a learner. It provides strategies to support learning and suggests technologies that might stimulate their different intelligences.
Which Scenario
In this exercise, students analyse the mission scenarios to determine which mission would be the best for the team to solve. They look at the pro’s and con’s for each scenario using the worksheet provided. Finally the team will select the mission which best suits the student’s interest and skills.
Team Work – Bitmoji Exercise
Create a space themed Avatar using the Bitmoji app. Collate each of your Avatars into a team in this fun exercise. Note the are age restrictions of 13 for this app, so best used in High School setting only.
Team Work – AVA Mission Patch Exercise
Learn about the significance of mission patches from NASA astronaut Astronaut Randy Bresnik. Get the team together and create your own mission patch for the Australian Astronaut Challenge.
All Scenarios – Resources
General background information for teachers and students to support challenge activities
Artemis Prepares for Mars
In this informative video produced for AVA2021, space training program specialist for the US Navy and previous Vice President for Magnitude.io Lori Waters talks about the Artemis Mission. (9:26 Minutes)
BitMoji Instructions
In this video produced for AVA2021, Dr Sleap and Lori Waters explains how to introduce BitMoji into your lessons for a bit of fun and to build teamwork. Lori discusses how BitMoji found its way onto the International Space Station. (2:45 Minutes)
Indigenous Perspective – Australian Space Agency Logo
This animated video tells the story of the Australian Space Agency’s brand identity. At first glance, the logo appears as a satellite view of Australia. But hidden within the dots are several significant Indigenous constellations that can be seen if we look up across Australian skies. The brand captures Australia’s powerful cultural heritage and the spirit of the Agency—one that will look to space to provide real improvements for life on Earth. (01:03 Minutes)
Teamwork
In this video produced for AVA2021, Ben Newsome (Fizzics Education) and Wendy Bode (Australian and Queensland Virtual STEM Academy) discuss the six characteristics of an effective team. Wendy then describes the task on the downloaded sheet where students complete a skills audit and select team roles. (02:47 Minutes)
Create a Mission Patch
In this video, Ted Tagami (Magnitude) goes through mission patches used on missions to space and suggests creating your own. (3:06 minutes)
Website Resources
Artemis Accords
https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-accords/index.html
Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD
https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/nac_budget_charts_final_updated_pfp.pdf
NASA – Explore Moon to Mars
https://www.nasa.gov/topics/moon-to-mars
NASA – Track Artemis in Realtime
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/track-nasa-s-artemis-i-mission-in-real-time
Lunar science teaching ideas
https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/articles/lunar-science-teaching-ideas/
NASA Live
https://www.nasa.gov/nasalive
iSTEM Course Resources – NSW Department of Education
https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/department-approved-courses/istem
Scenario 1: Earth Observations
General background information for teachers and students to support the Earth Observation Scenario.
AWS for Aerospace and Satellite
Be inspired. Follow pioneer astronaut Peggy Whitson as she gains first-hand insights from Major Gen. Clint Crosier (Ret.) on how AWS helps space customers take research and discovery to the next level. Explore how NASA’s Mars Mission, Maxar Technologies, Fireball International, and Capella Space use AWS to help astronauts, scientists, and everyday heroes do their jobs better. (05:36 Minutes)
Optus Satellite: Come Take a Tour
Ever wondered what happens at a world renowned Satellite Teleport? Optus has been Australia’s leading satellite operator for over 30 years. Come take a tour with us through our Belrose Satellite Facility and meet some of our people responsible for our day-to-day operations. Optus will be supporting the AVA2022 program and will provide further content throughout the program. (05:40 Minutes)
FlatSat Digital Twin Overview
Mark and John from Cromulence LLC based in Melbourne Florida discuss flatsat technologies that are part of a ‘Hack a Sat’ competition. It takes students through a digital twin of a typical CubeSat. (04:58 Minutes)
Website Resources
CubeSats Overview
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cubesats/overview
M2 CubeSat – UNSW Canberra Space
https://www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/unsw-canberra-space/missions/m2
Space Australia – CubeSats
https://spaceaustralia.com/industry/cubesats?type=All&page=1
INSIRE-2: CubeSat
https://www.sydney.edu.au/science/our-research/research-areas/physics/inspire-2-cubesat.html
SatelliteXplorer
https://geoxc-apps.bd.esri.com/space/satellite-explorer/
Every Satellite Orbiting Earth and Who Owns Them
https://dewesoft.com/daq/every-satellite-orbiting-earth-and-who-owns-them
Scenario 2: Robotics
Background information for teachers and students to support the Robotics scenario.
Robotics – G’Day Moon
The Australian Space Agency wants to bring all Australians on our first mission to the Moon. Australia, get ready to say G’Day Moon with the Trailblazer mission which . For more information on our boldest adventure yet, visit: https://bit.ly/3wZYnti. to view the Australian Space Agencies G’Day Moon video. (0:41 Seconds)
Robotics – Can robots Take Care of Spacecraft?
NASA’s Integrated System for Autonomous and Adaptive Caretaking, or ISAAC, is advancing new technology for robots to take care of spacecraft. Researchers recently demonstrated the tech aboard the International Space Station using Astrobee, NASA’s free-flying robotic assistants. (1:23 Minutes)
Robotics – Mars 2020 Perseverance
Dr Adrian Brown planetary Science Researcher NASA discusses his work on the Mars2020 mission which landed the Perseverance Rover on Mars. This video was taken in 2021 and Dr Brown will be providing an update on this mission later in the AVA program. (23 Minutes)
Website Resources
Australian Space Agency
https://www.industry.gov.au/policies-and-initiatives/australian-space-agency
G’Day Moon: Australia’s boldest adventure yet
https://www.industry.gov.au/news/gday-moon-australias-boldest-adventure-yet
Headed to the moon: the Trailblazer program and NASA space act agreement
https://www.industry.gov.au/news/headed-to-the-moon-the-trailblazer-program-and-nasa-space-act-agreement
Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover
https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/
Monash Nova Rover
https://www.novarover.space/
Australian Rover Challenge
https://www.novarover.space/the-australian-rover-challenge
The University Rover Challenge
https://www.novarover.space/the-university-rover-challenge
Scenario 3: Home on the Moon Resources
Background information for teachers and students to support the Home on the Moon scenario.
Home on the Moon
Jim Christenson, Chief Innovation Officer of the Aldrin Family Foundation provides background on the Aldrin Family Foundation, Artemis, Apollo missions and Home on the Moon. (12 Minutes)
Music Video: Picture This – If I Build a Home on the Moon
Official music video by Picture This performing “If I Build A Home On The Moon ” – available everywhere now: https://PictureThis.lnk.to/IIBAHOTMpr… (3:37 Minutes)
Backstory – Home on the Moon
Jim Christenson, Chief Innovation Officer of the Aldrin Family Foundation provides the backstory for the Home on the Moon project. (4:46 Minutes)
Website Resources – The Backstory
NASA History
https://www.nasa.gov/topics/history/index.html
Kennedy Speeches
The Decision to Go to the Moon:
https://history.nasa.gov/moondec.html
President John F. Kennedy Speech to Congress On Space Exploration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ygoE2YiHCs
“Why go to the moon?” – John F. Kennedy at Rice University
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXqlziZV63k
Apollo
What was the Apollo Program?
https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/nasa-knows/what-was-apollo-program-58.html
The Apollo Missions
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/index.html
Scenario 4: Growing Food in Space Resources
Background information for teachers and students to support the Growing Food on the Moon scenario.
Food in Space
Ted Tagami User Advisory Committee – Education Chair at ISS US National Lab and co-founder of Magnitude.io discusses the International Space Station, the Moon, Mars and the last years Exolab-9 program. (8:48 Minutes)
ExoLab-10: Carbon Farmer
In this short, Lori Waters provides an overview of the Exolab-10 mission to the International Space Station. Driving a mission for change, students will become climate change solutionaries. (15 seconds)
Simulating G-Force in Plants
On Earth, plants use gravity and light to orient their roots and shoots, but in space, microgravity is too weak to provide a growth cue. The Gravity Perception Systems investigation germinates normal and variant forms of thale cress, a model research plant, to study the plants’ gravity and light perception. Results provide new information about plants’ ability to detect gravity and adapt to an environment without it. The investigation continues efforts to grow plants for food on future missions. (2:01 Minutes)
Cultivating Plant Growth in Space
NASA Commentator Lori Meggs at the Marshall Space Flight Center speaks to researchers Robert Ferl and Anna-Lisa Paul of the University of Florida about their Advanced Plant experiments on the International Space Station, in which they have already learned a great deal—and gotten some interesting surprises—about how plants grow in space. The ability to grow food in space will be very important to support future missions beyond low Earth orbit into deep space. (5:08 Minutes)
StationLIFE: Biology
Every month on StationLIFE, we’ll focus on a scientific area where the International Space Station is conducting groundbreaking research. This month, astronaut Tracy Dyson talks the station’s role as a platform for biological research. (22:50 Minutes)
Website Resources
Magnitude.io
https://magnitude.io/
Exolab-10: Carbon Farmer
https://magnitude.io/exolab-10/
NSW Department of Education iSTEM Design For Space Learning Sequence
https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/elective-courses/media/documents/istem-s5-ls-design-for-space-critical-problem-solving.DOCX
Growing alfalfa in Martian-like soil and filtering water using bacteria and Martian basalt
https://phys-org.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/phys.org/news/2022-08-alfalfa-martian-like-soil-filtering-bacteria.amp
Powerhouse Museum’s Future Space program
This innovative partnership delivers a world-class STEM program to students across Western Sydney. Students use NASA-inspired design thinking strategies to grow alfalfa seeds and monitor them in an amazing ExoLab system, in preparation for a real-life space mission on the international space station. Students will conduct ground trials, compare their seedlings and think about how we can one day take plants to Mars.
Watch ‘Powerhouse Future Space’ (08:09)
Scenario 5 : AI in Space Resources
Background information for teachers and students to support the AI in Space scenario.
Artificial Intelligence At NASA – Interview with Steve Chien, Head of AI, NASA-JPL
Steve Chien, Head of AI at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory talks about the variety of uses that AI has for space programs into the future (4:16 Minutes)
AI test to detect damage to Astronaut Equipment onboard ISS with NASA, HPE, Microsoft
How AI Is Revolutionizing the Space Industry
Using cloud computing & AI for space
Using AI to land a rocket on the moon
Website resources
Artificial intelligence in space – European Space Agency
https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Preparing_for_the_Future/
Discovery_and_Preparation/Artificial_intelligence_in_space
Artificial Intelligence for Space – UNSW
https://www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/our-research/ai-space
CIMON, the world’s first free-flying AI astronaut assistant – IBM
https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/innovation-explanations/cimon-ai-in-space
AI Algorithms Streamline Data Processing for Space-based Instruments – NASA
https://science.nasa.gov/technology/technology-highlights/new-ai-algorithms-streamline-data-processing-for-space-based-instruments
Using AI to avoid space junk – European Space Agency
https://www.space.com/AI-autonomous-space-debris-avoidance-esa
Artificial Intelligence for Earth observation – European Space Agency
https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Ph-sat/Artificial_Intelligence_for_Earth_observation
Australian Virtual Astronaut Challenge
Next Mission | Define
The Problem
Describe the problem or need in detail to gain understanding. Think about and discuss your initial thoughts.
