Think like an astronaut: NASA works with high school students on new program

A new STEM educational program, Mission Discovery Melbourne, aims to launch high school students’ ideas into space while developing their creative thinking and leadership skills.

Students from years 7 to 12 will work with NASA astronaut Commander Steve Swanson and other specialists on the cutting-edge of human experience and space exploration.

Latitude Group Travel is bringing the program to the University of Melbourne – the first time it is being held in the Southern Hemisphere. The International Space School Educational Trust (ISSET) has previously held the program in London, Scotland, USA and India.

Participants will work in teams to develop space science experiments which could benefit the human race. The winning experiment will be launched into space and tested aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

NASA Astronaut & ISS Commander Steven Swanson said the Mission Discovery program provides students with a rare opportunity to participate in something that is unimaginable for most young people.

“It will not only help them gain knowledge about space but also enhance their self-belief and capabilities,” Commander Swanson said.

“I would have loved this opportunity as a student and who knows where this journey will take them. I’m looking forward to meeting Melbourne’s young people at the University of Melbourne these September school holidays."

Some of the program educators will include astrophysicists from the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Science.

Professor Rachel Webster said the aim of the program was to spark a passion, perseverance and engagement in science.

“We are really excited to launch the program here in Australia. We would like all kids, whether already interested in STEM or not, to develop creative confidence by thinking without boundaries and constraints,” Professor Webster said.

Details: 24–28 September 2018 (week one of school holidays, including the 28 September public holiday) from 9.30am–4.30pm each day, hosted by education partner the University of Melbourne on its Parkville campus.