Australian Virtual Astronaut (AVA) Challenge

Australian Virtual Astronaut Program video showcase

Australian Virtual Astronaut (AVA) Challenge

Topic: STEM challenge

Dates: October 8 – November 12, 2021

Do you think you’re isolated? Try being in space!
You are part of a team of astronauts creating a Family Home Outpost (FHO) on the Moon. How do survive? How do you thrive? Solve the problems that astronauts face in this Australian Virtual Astronaut (AVA) Challenge.

Mission Brief

Your team are on the Moon. You need to produce food in order to support life on the Moon.

How are we going to sustainably grow food on the Moon?
How do we ensure this food is nutritious?
How can the environment affect your food?
How can the food be stored?
Does the food produce enough energy?

Design an experiment, device or environment that can grow food on the Moon.

Engineering challenges

Radiation
Dust
Vacuum
Lack of resources

You have 6 weeks!

Assess your resources
Identify the problem
Brainstorm ideas
Produce potential solutions

Outcomes

Students participate in a design thinking process for solving a lunar challenge.
Students upload a 1-minute video that showcases a student designed solution for growing something on the Moon and tag it using #virtualastronautau

Register

Teachers register to get your unique webinar link

Information session

Tuesday, October 5 at 4:30pm AEST.
Register here

Weekly Missions

Weekly missions with live streams every Friday at 9:30am AEST, starting Friday 8 October

Week 1 – Define & Identify the Challenge – 8 October 2021
Week 2 – Brainstorm – 15 October 2021
Week 3 – Design & Prototype – 22 October 2021
Week 4 – Evaluate – 29 October 2021
Week 5 – Iterate – 5 November 2021
Week 6 – Communicate – 12 November 2021

FAQs

Do students need to do more work outside of the 1-hour webinars?

It’s up to you! This STEM unit has been designed to be flexible and it is optional to be involved in the design aspects outside of the 6 x 1 hour webinars. However, we encourage everyone joining the challenge to consider this as a deep engagement opportunity for students that can be incorporated into weekly teaching & learning as your timetable permits.

Will there be breakout rooms with students?

No, due to the large number of schools & students involved, your students will be on this webpage watching the live stream.

This webinar will involve panellists discussing the challenge & posting questions that can be answered by your students using AhaSlides. Should your students have questions for the panellists, they can send them to you in your LMS or even via email. You can then raise these questions via the Q & A during the webinar. Please note, not all questions will be able to be answered live due to the number of schools & students involved.

Will the webinars be recorded?

Yes.

Find out more about the resources

Reach out!

Learn more about the Exolab 10 mission in October 2022

Resources

Week 1

Download the Australian Virtual Astronaut (AVA) week 1 design folio to complement the webinar. In this weeks folio we set the scene for the associated design activities. Teachers can chose to use all the materials, some or none.

Week 2

Download the Australian Virtual Astronaut (AVA) week 2 design folio to complement the webinar. In this weeks folio students use the Define, Brainstorm and Evaluate Cogs of the iSTEM process. Students need to brainstorm ideas to define what their idea is going to be.

iSTEM Process

Download some more information about the iSTEM process to get more ideas for activities that you can do with students related to each of the cogs.

Week 3
Download the Australian Virtual Astronaut (AVA) week 3 design folio to complement the webinar. In this weeks folio students use the Brainstorm, Design and Evaluate Cogs of the iSTEM process and will learn about drawing their ideas and plants. Students will also have instructions about training like an astronaut.

Week 3 Supporting Resources

Train Like an Astronaut – Peake Lift Off
Mission Question: How could you perform a series of physical activities that would improve your lungs and heart, and increase muscular coordination and endurance?

Watch Video:

Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut Peake Liftoff, Burpee

Peake Liftoff Technique

Download Teacher Guide:

PeakeLiftoff – Student.pdf

PeakeLiftoff – Teacher.pdf

Week 4
Download the Australian Virtual Astronaut (AVA) week 4 design folio to complement the webinar. In this weeks folio students use the Design and Prototype Cogs of the iSTEM process and will learn more about drawing and prototyping their ideas. Students will also have more instructions about training like an astronaut.

Week 4 Supporting Resources

Design Nuts folio solutions
AVA Week 4 – Glenns Art Work

Train Like an Astronaut – Building an Astronauts Core
Mission Question: How can you perform a physical activity that will improve your abdominal and back muscles?

BuildingAstronautCore – Student.pdf

BuildingAstronautCore – Teacher.pdf

BuildingAstronautCore – Adapted.pdf

Week 5
Download the Australian Virtual Astronaut (AVA) week 5 design folio to complement the webinar. In this weeks folio students use the Evaluation and Iteration Cogs of the iSTEM process and will learn more about testing and evaluation. Students will also have more instructions about training like an astronaut.

Week 5 Supporting Resources

Train like an Astronaut – Agility Astro-Course
Mission Question: How can you perform a physical activity that will improve your movement skills, coordination, and speed?

AgilityAstroCourse – Student.pdf

AgilityAstroCourse – Teacher.pdf

AgilityAstroCourse – Adapted.pdf

Week 6
Download the Australian Virtual Astronaut (AVA) week 6 design folio to complement the webinar. In this weeks folio students use the Communication Cog of the iSTEM process. Students will also have more instructions about training like an astronaut.

Week 6 Supporting Resources

Train like an Astronaut – Agility Astro-Course
Mission Question: How could you perform a physical activity that would strengthen your muscles and bones in both your upper and lower body?

CrewStrength – Student.pdf

CrewStrength – Teacher.pdf

CrewStrength – Adapted.pdf