Andy Thomas Space Foundation backing STEM space education in South Australian schools from 2022

The Space Discovery Centre at Lot Fourteen in Adelaide city was used as part of the space education programmes promoted by the Andy Thomas Space Foundation.

Andy Thomas Space Foundation started two programmes for South Australian primary and high schools in 2022, bringing space science and technology to classrooms.

The programmes were backed by the foundation’s 2022 education fund with more than $500,000 pledged towards space education and opportunities for students and early career researchers of all ages across Australia.

The foundation carried the name of Australia’s first member of the elite astronaut corps at NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), Adelaide's Andy Thomas, who flew four missions across 12 years and spent a total of six months in space, including on Mir and International space stations. Thomas was a 1970s Adelaide University first class graduate with a bachelor of engineering degree and doctorate in mechanical engineering.

Andy Thomas Space Foundation aimed to advance space sducation by making STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) literacy for all students a priority. It wanted to raise space awareness by linking space science and technologies to our everyday lives and by contributing to Australia’s national space community.

Foundation chair Michael Davis stressed the importance of supporting space education initiatives in schools: “Space-related projects are a wonderful source of inspiration for students, and they also assist to shape tomorrows space workforce”. The foundation’s primary schools programme, conducted with Australian education technology startup Makers Empire, used design challenges to expose students to space innovation, helped by 3D printing and app-supported development resources. Makers Empire co chief executive Jon Soong said the programmed helped young students develop an interest in space, engage in STEM learning connected to real-world problem-solving and gain understanding of some pathways to a space career."

The secondary schools programme, coordinated by Hamilton Secondary College, used the Aldrin Foundation’s giant Mars map to engage students in a deeper understanding of space travel’s purpose, challenges and risks. Hamilton Secondary College  principal Peta Kourbelis said projects proposed by schools were increasingly innovative: “Also, more rural schools are involved, allowing students from throughout South Australia to find out about the amazing opportunities and careers available in the rapidly expanding space sector”. The schools programmes were two of the nine educational scholarship and awards offered by the foundation in 2022, with plans to expand them.

Foundation chief executive Nicola Sasanelli said that, in its first two years, the foundation has already brought extraordinary learning experiences to more than 150 students across Australia. It also arranged dedicated group visits by students to the Australian Space Discovery Centre in Adelaide. the foundation arranged for more than 500 students from primary and secondary schools to visit and learn at the Space Discovery Centre at Lot Fourteen in Adelaide city.  

Initial supporters of the Andy Thomas Space Foundation included the Maras Foundation, the Australian government, Australian Space Agency, SmartSat cooperative research centre, Makers Empire and Inovor Technologies.