Western Sydney University

Western Sydney University sponsors Space Teams Academy 2024

For more than a half-century, Space Exploration has been an inspirational force in our society toward the development and application of science and engineering. Space Teams Academy gives students an incredible opportunity to participate virtually in space exploration.

Western Sydney University will select 32 young space adventurers to form teams and compete in Space Teams Academy, a virtual mission training program that will challenge the participant’s teamwork, problem solving, resource management, and system balancing skills while granting them access to lessons and lectures from academic and experienced leaders.

From the 19th to the 23rd of August eight teams will represent WSU and complete this virtual space mission as part of an WSU mission team to design spacecraft, learn basics of interplanetary navigation, land their vehicles on an exoplanet, build a sustainable habitat in a hostile environment, and explore the strange exoplanet as a team to locate resources critical to sustaining human life for the duration of their mission.

Students will have lessons from subject matter experts including astronauts, scientists and engineers who are directly involved in ongoing missions. These topics range from planetary science to spacecraft systems, orbital mechanics to robotic exploration.

The selected WSU young astronauts will have an additional audience with Professor Gregory Chamitoff, former astronaut and lead designer for SpaceTeams where they can ask questions, learn from his firsthand experiences aboard the ISS to further fuel their passion and curiosity for space exploration.

If you wish to find out more about the Space Teams Academy please click here.

Space Teams Academy selection

Apply to be a team member to represent WSU in the Space Teams Academy. The university is looking for 32 young space adventurers who are up to the challenge!

To be eligible to enter, participants must be a New South Wales school student enrolled in an education institution or home schooling for Year 7 or Year 8.

Mission team members are required to attend WSU Parramatta campus for 5 days from the 19th to the 23rd of August, 2024 (8:30am – 4pm).

Each application will need:

  • a parental/guardian permission note confirming their attendance for the 5 days and explain the transport for the student (eg will be picked up by parent, can be dismissed at 4pm to catch the train).
  • a 2 minute video introducing the student and explain why they should be picked to be part of Space Teams Academy. Be creative with your video!
  • a letter from their principal reaffirming their application and noting that the student will be absent from school for the 5 days.

All entries will be judged on creativity and originality. The work should be solely of the entrant.

All entries remain the property of One Giant Leap Australia and may be used for promotional and media purposes.

All submissions must be original work. Entries containing plagiarized or copyright material/music will be disqualified.

Entries that are longer than 2 minutes may be disqualified.

Each student may only submit one entry.

All communication will be conducted between One Giant Leap Australia and the student’s parents/guardians.

Information on how to enter forms part of the Conditions of Entry.

Entering this opportunity deems acceptance of the Conditions of Entry.

Entry to the opportunity begins at midnight AEST on 14th June and closes at midnight AEST 26th July, 2024.

The selection will be made by a panel of One Giant Leap Australia Foundation staff and Western Sydney University staff. The decisions made by the panel are final.

The position on the team is not transferable.

This opportunity cannot be converted into cash.

What should I include in my 2 minute video?

Convince the panel why you should be selected for one of 32 places on the program. Have you always been interested in space? What have you done at school / outside of school to do with space? Do you have any cool space LEGO kits? What kind of space stuff interests you?

What is covered by the sponsorship?

Registration fees for enrolment in the Space Teams Academy, shirt, notebook and bag.

Mentorship by Western Sydney University students.

A private team teleconference with Professor Gregory Chamitoff.

How do I get to Western Sydney University?

The responsibility of safely arriving and departing from Western Sydney University is yours. Transport costs are to be borne by the participants.

Will there be meals supplied?

Morning tea and lunch provisions are up to you. As the program is so busy, breaks are taken when your team decides. Going out for food is not really an option so it is preferable if you bring your food every day.

How do I know what is happening every day?

The day will start at 8:30am and will end at 4pm. You will be provided with a timetable closer to the date.

Date of Birth(Required)
I give permission for my/my child's photographs or videos taken as part of 'Western Sydney University Space Teams Academy’', to be used now or into the future for the purposes of external communications, including advertising and marketing as well as posted on social media.(Required)
Upload principal letter, video and parent/guardian letter at this link: onegiantleap.wetransfer.com(Required)
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Eveny Flyer

Western Sydney University