On Friday 6th September 2019 an innovative new collaboration between high school students and some of Australia’s leading space scientists was launched at Hamilton Secondary College in Adelaide.
Students will be able to participate in this initiative by identifying
a Sustainable Development Goal and developing a project using space
technologies to solve the problem and highlight the social and economic impacts.
‘This joint initiative between SmartSatCRC
and Hamilton Secondary College aims to make young students aware of the
sustainability challenges we are facing, and the potential for space based technological
solutions to achieve the goals identified by the UN, assisted by some of
Australia’s leading space experts’ Professor Andy Koronios CEO of
SmartSatCRC says.
The United Nations has identified 17
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address global challenges related to
environment, climate, poverty, peace and justice. The SDGs recognise the
connection between people and the planet, and changes we can make to maintain
our land, oceans, climate and global health.
‘The SmartSat
CRC is focusing on inspiring young people to pursue careers in space by
building a culture of entrepreneurship and igniting a curiosity for space among
students through a space-related STEM program’ Professor Koronios says. The
CRC industry development program is designed to link with relevant curricula in
Australian schools and educational institutions to promote STEM teaching and
learning through space activity.
‘With a
growing space industry and increasing job opportunities, now is the time to
inspire the next generation of space entrepreneurs, engineers and researchers’
Mrs. Peta Kourbelis, Principal of Hamilton Secondary College says.
‘South Australian schools, industry and
government work cohesively to ensure STEM subjects are a priority in the school
curriculum, while building a culture of entrepreneurship and igniting a
curiosity for space at an early age’ Mrs Kourbelis says.
ABOUT THE
SMARTSAT CRC
The new SmartSat Cooperative
Research Centre
is one of the most significant space research collaborations ever forged in
Australia. This research powerhouse brings together over 85 national and international
partners who have invested over $190 million. Together with $55 million in Federal
Government funding, this represents a $245 million research effort over seven
years.
The SmartSat CRC will catalyse the
transformation and growth of our space industry with focussed activities in the
following three key areas:
- Advanced
Communications, Connectivity & Internet of Things ( IoT) Technologies;
- Advanced
Satellite Systems, Sensor & Intelligence; and
- Next
generation Earth Observation Data Services.
The SmartSat CRC is partnering with Hamilton
Secondary School Space Education Centre and other higher education groups such
as the Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program and align activities with the
National STEM School Education Strategy principles in programs such as the STEM
Professionals in Schools and CREST Awards.
ABOUT
HAMILTON SECONDARY COLLEGE
Leading the way in space education, Hamilton
Secondary College is home to the state’s first South Australian Space School.
The specialist school includes a new Space Centre, featuring an interactive
Mars landscape and control room, with students exercising STEM skills to solve
space and earth science-related problems.
FOR MORE
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nicola Sasanelli
Director Communications & Outreach
08 8302 7724
[email protected]