Young Space Explorers

Workshop Activities

At the Young Space Explorers event, students have the opportunity to dive into a wide range of activities, from crafting lunar tools to unravelling meteorite mysteries, assembling mini rovers, and embarking on virtual space journeys. Through immersive workshops and sessions, participants tackle tangible space scenarios while deepening their understanding of advanced STEM principles. Each workshop lasts 60 minutes, and students can choose up to four distinct sessions.

Workshop Activity 1

Lunar Innovators: Crafting Regolith Collection Tools

Presented by Lunar Outpost Oceania

This workshop will provide participants the opportunity to be involved in the design process for Australia’s first Lunar Rover. The central task for this rover is to collect and deposit lunar regolith. Using the prototyping tools provided (e.g., forming clay, wood, 3D pens, etc.), participants will design and create their own regolith collection device, and will have the opportunity to build on this as an entry in an open innovation crowdsourcing challenge.
Workshop Activity 2

Lunar Exploration with RASCube

Presented by Robinson Aerospace

In this workshop students will use RASCubes to detect concealed debris, using sensors such as the magnetometer and thermometer, simulating a Lunar exploration scenario. The goal is to use these sensors non-invasively, avoiding contact with the lunar surface, to discover elements essential to scientists on Earth, reflecting real-world space exploration techniques where non-intrusive methods are pivotal in gathering crucial data from planetary bodies.
Workshop Activity 3

Touching the Cosmos: Hands-On Meteorite Science

Presented by eXplorimental

For generations, people have wondered about the enigmatic nature of meteorites, pondering the significance of these rocks that fall from the sky. In this workshop students will go on a mind-blowing journey across time and space to unlock the secrets hiding within these cosmic wanderers. Through visual analysis and tactile exploration, we’ll unveil mesmerising planetary mysteries, shedding light on distant worlds and the origins of our own planet.
Workshop Activity 4

Design a satellite in 3D and learn about 3D printing in space!

Presented by Makers Empire

For generations, people have wondered about the enigmatic nature of meteorites, pondering the significance of these rocks that fall from the sky. In this workshop students will go on a mind-blowing journey across time and space to unlock the secrets hiding within these cosmic wanderers. Through visual analysis and tactile exploration, we’ll unveil mesmerising planetary mysteries, shedding light on distant worlds and the origins of our own planet.
Workshop Activity 5

Scrap Rocket Challenge

Presented by Australian Space Discovery Centre

Flex your engineering creativity in this paper rocket design challenge! Participants will build, launch, and refine their rocket designs to discover how to fly as high and as accurately as possible.
Workshop Activity 6

Starborn Academy Demo – USA

Presented by Uplift Aerospace

In this workshop students will be involved in a demo of the Starborn Academy VR learning platform, which offers an immersive journey into STEM through space exploration. Through hands-on virtual missions, students tackle real-world challenges, from building lunar habitats to space farming. Merging cutting-edge VR technology with STEM concepts, participants not only learn but experience the wonders of space, preparing them for future frontiers in science and technology.
Workshop Activity 7

Flying a Satellite Digital Twin

Presented by Nominal Systems

Ever wondered what it’s like to command a satellite? In this workshop students learn how to create and operate their very own spacecraft in a virtual world. Students assemble solar panels, flight computers, and construct satellites piece by piece to launch their very own Earth-bound mission!
Workshop Activity 8

Design Sprints – Solving for Future Space

Presented by Magnitude.io

Explore real-world space challenges, from growing food on Mars to recycling water in spaceships, and harness the power of design thinking to brainstorm innovative solutions. Collaborate with peers, share your ground-breaking ideas, and discover how design plays a pivotal role in space exploration. Join us for an interactive and thrilling journey bridging the gap between terrestrial challenges and celestial possibilities.

Workshop Activity 9

Miniature Rover Workshop

Presented by Monash Nova Rover

The Miniature Rover Workshop by Monash Nova Rover involves students learning to build a driving mini rover! Students are split into teams and each team is provided with a kit supplied by Monash Nova Rover. The kit contains everything required to assemble and modify the rover. By working as a team, the students must try to build a functioning system. At the end of the activity, the teams will race their rovers to see who can build the fastest rover!
Workshop Activity 10

The Aldrin Maps Mission to Mars

Presented by Hunter Academy of STEM Excellence

In this workshop students will be introduced to the topography of Mars, the history of humans remote exploration of Mars and get the chance to pilot their own Mars rover across the simulated Martian terrain in engaging “missions”.
Workshop Activity 11

The Aldrin Maps Mission to Mars – USA

Presented by Aldrin Family Foundation

In this workshop students will engage in hands-on activities inspired by the US based Aldrin Family Foundation’s, giant maps program. This workshop will be led by legendary US space educator Jim Christensen.
Workshop Activity 12

Mission to Mars

Presented by The University of Newcastle – Science and Engineering Challenge

In this workshop students construct a buggy with a basic suspension system to transport loads securely over undulating Martian terrain. Mars buggies are built with axles, wheels and a suspension system using rubber bands, then tested and refined until they are as stable and quick as possible!
Workshop Activity 13

Forces in Space Challenge

Presented by Fizzics Education

Join the ‘Forces in Space Challenge’ at the Young Space Explorers 2023 event! Students dive into spinning object forces, uncover secrets of axial precession for spacecraft orientation, discover the crucial role of air pressure in spacesuit design and more. Ignite your cosmic curiosity in this hands-on workshop.

Workshop Activity 14

Cosmic Inflation, Gravitational Lensing & Extrasolar Planets

Presented by Fizzics Education

In this workshop students will discover how light is used to gauge distances in space, uncover the secrets behind stellar compositions, and grasp the fascinating dynamics of redshift, bent spacetime, and the elusive extrasolar planets
Workshop Activity 15

Software Defined Radio Challenge

Presented by UNSW Space Canberra

Communication with spacecraft is essential, since without it, we will not be able to know what it is doing or tell it what to do. Typically radio is used for these communications. In this workshop, students will design a radio to receive FM signals purely in software. This allows students to receive broadcast radio.

Workshop Activity 16

SCRAMSPACE Scramjet Flight Experiments

Presented by UNSW Space Canberra

In this workshop students examine the SCRAMSPACE scramjet free-flying hypersonic scramjet rocket which can fly at 8600km/h.

Workshop Activity 17

Space Careers Expo

Presented by Young Space Explorers

Students will be able to navigate to a range of booths from top universities, TAFE NSW, and space companies at the Young Space Explorers Careers Expo. Students will uncover space industry pathways and opportunities. All students are expected to do at least one session in either in the space careers expo or the space passport. 

Workshop Activity 16

Space Passport

Presented by 16th Australian Space Forum

In this special program students learn about Space careers and the pathways to enter them from companies and industries directly involved with the Australian Space Sector. All students are expected to do at least one session in either in the space careers expo or the space passport. 

Young Space Explorers Agenda

Wednesday 6th December Sydney International Convention Centre. Note activities in red are for selected groups only. The main student cohort to arrive at 9:45am.

Time Activity
7.30am – 8.30am Staff arrival, expo setup, briefing
8.30am – 8.40am Space Passport Group 1 assembly and briefing (30 Students)
8.40am – 9.40am Space Passport Session 1 (30 Students)
9.40am – 9.45am Space Passport group to move back to Level 3
9.45am – 10.15am Arrival Main Group, Expo Session
10.15am – 10.35am Public Address – Speaker TBA
10.10am – 10.25am Guided Tour of YSE (Pick up at YSE Booth in ASF)
10.35am – 10.40am Move to hands on Session
10.40am – 11.40am Student hands-on Session 1, Space Passport Group 2, Expo
11.40am – 11.45am Move between hands on Sessions
11.45am – 12.45pm Student hands-on Session 2, Expo
12.45pm – 1.45pm Lunch
1:45pm – 2:45pm Student hands-on Session 3, Space Passport Group 3, Expo
2.45pm – 2:50pm Move between hands on Sessions
2.50pm – 3.50pm Student hands-on Session 4, Expo
3:25pm – 3:40pm Guided Tour of YSE (Pick up Booth in ASF)
3:50pm – 4:00pm End of hands-on Session, students leave
4:00pm – 5:00pm The Great Space Pitch