SA schoolkids given chance to submit science projects to be done International Space Station

SOUTH Australia will spend $80,000 to secure a spot on the International Space Station for school science experiments in an Australian-first project.

Henley Beach High School students like Dean Singh and Charli Smyth are involved in the ISS project.

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SOUTH Australia will spend $80,000 to secure a spot on the International Space Station for school science experiments in an Australian-first project.

The International Space Station has begun preparations to host three Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics experiments to further our knowledge of Mars and the moon.

The State Government will spend the money to secure room on the station for its SA Schools Space Mission, which will use hi-tech sensors and receptors to stream data back to schools for recording and analysis over a 12-month period.

The size of the SA Schools Space Mission will be a combined 1kg and fit into a four-litre compartment.

The International Space Station is operated by astronauts from American, Russian, Canadian, European and Japanese space agencies.

SA public schools will be able to submit STEM-related experiments to the International Space Station.

Education Minister Susan Close said the project was a unique and exciting challenge that would engage students and teachers.

“Our public education system strives to ensure graduates have the technical skills they will need to take advantage of emerging, STEM-related employment opportunities in our state,” she said.

Every public school in South Australia will have the opportunity to submit an experiment through an expression of interest followed by an evaluation and feedback process.

Education Department advanced technology project manager Sarah Baker said the project offered a fantastic opportunity for students.

“There is a big focus on Mars at the moment and plenty of thought is going into how and if the planet could . . . become habitable for humans,” Dr Baker said.

“Not all suggestions are complex, something as simple as establishing lichen on Mars, which when growing would release oxygen into the atmosphere, is something that is already being investigated.”

All applicants will submit multimedia presentations to be showcased at the 68th International

Astronautical Congress to be held in Adelaide from September 25-29.

The projects will travel in a container being sent by SA-based company Neumann Space as part of a regular supply flight, most likely from Europe.

Delivery is expected in late 2018 or early 2019.

Originally published as SA schoolkids given chance to submit science projects to be done International Space Station