Page 7 - Journal 2018A

We are supporting a raft of activities aimed
at stimulating interest in the space sector, including the ActInSpace hackathon13. The Australian nals of the 24-hour international ActInSpace hackathon will be held at the University of South Australia’s Innovation and Collaboration Centre in May. The event will see students, developers and entrepreneurs use existing space technology and data to design new services and products, while competing simultaneously with people in cities all over the world.
“A key priority of the Centre
is to work with educational institutions to promote STEM programs. We are supporting
a raft of activities aimed at stimulating interest in the space sector.”
Recently, the Centre provided scholarships to ve postgraduate South Australian students to attend the prestigious Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program14, hosted jointly by
the University of South Australia and the International Space University15. The students had the opportunity to network with like- minded participants from around the globe and gain valuable skills for a career in the space industry. This is another excellent example of something young students can aspire to, and it’s happening right here in South Australia.
Twice a year, the Centre also hosts the South Australia Space Forum, a growing event which attracts keynote speakers from around the globe. The forum is an opportunity for South Australia’s burgeoning industry to network
and hear about the latest developments and opportunities in space. Primary and middle school-aged students have attended this event as part of their learning programs. If you would like to be included on our mailing list for future events please email spaceof ce@sa.gov.au.
The SA Government recently opened the Space Innovation Fund, which provides up to $1 million every year over the next four years to young space entrepreneurs, along with new and existing space start-ups, to encourage
the development of innovation in the space sector. Included in this Fund is an allocation of $100,000 per annum for Space Scholarships, to support post-graduate activities to develop relevant expertise and skills.
Conclusion
South Australia believes in promoting STEM education as the way of the future. The problem we face is not having enough STEM-literate students, with 75 per cent of the fastest growing occupations predicted
to need at least some STEM skills. School leaders and teachers need to take action; to learn, research and implement activities and programs that give students the best chance for a future career in growth industries, like space.
References
1 Fleet Space Technologies - www. eet.space
2 Myriota - www.myriota.com
3 Inovor Technologies - www.inovor.com.au
4 Neumann Space - www.neumannspace.com
5 Defence Science and Technologies Group -
www.dst.defence.gov.au
6 Space School - www.hamcoll.sa.edu.au/ curriculum/space-school
7 CASE Space School International Study Program - www.actura.com.au/space-school-old
8 Cuberider -
www.cuberider.com/program-overview
9 HASSE Space School International Study program - www.thehasse.org/blueprint-for- youth/space-school
10 South Australian Space School -
www.spaceschool.com
11 SA Schools Space Mission - www.education. sa.gov.au/teaching/projects-and-programs/sa- schools-space-mission
12 South Australian Space Industry Centre -
www.sasic.sa.gov.au
13 Act In Space hackathon -
www.actinspace.org
14 Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program - www.unisa.edu.au/spaceprogram
15 International Space University -
www.isunet.edu
Number 01 / 2018
| 5