Twelve schools from across the Toowoomba region are set to launch into an exhilarating space-themed STEM learning experience thanks to the University of Southern Queensland’s iLAuNCH Trailblazer.  

The Kids in Space program, developed by The Andy Thomas Space Foundation in collaboration with Makers Empire, immerses students from grades 3-8 in interactive space education challenges to encourage design thinking with real-world applications. iLAuNCH is thrilled to be a sponsor of the 2024 program, planned to be around 40% bigger, with an estimated 100 schools across Australia participating. 

“We are delighted to be a part of the Kids in Space Program and see first-hand how our sponsorship will directly impact schools in the Darling Downs region. This initiative provides a valuable opportunity for educators and students to gain a hands-on understanding of the space industry,” said Darin Lovett, Executive Director of iLAuNCH. 

“At iLAuNCH, we are committed to helping build the workforce of the future. Being a part of programs like this is truly valuable in achieving our mission, ensuring not only a bright future for regional students but also for the entire space industry as a whole.” 

The Queensland program kicked-off at the University of Southern Queensland’s (UniSQ’s) Toowoomba campus where teachers spent two days actively involving themselves in project planning, curriculum design, and gaining insights into maker-based pedagogies.

Mr. Garth Hamilton MP, Federal Member for Groom met with teachers from local schools at UniSQ’s campus. They collectively expressed their enthusiasm for introducing space-based STEM options to students, alongside the importance of expanding their future opportunities through training. 

Selected schools will receive a $6000 package as part of the program, which will include professional development and upskilling events for teachers, a 12-month subscription to the Makers Empire program, a space-themed challenge course and a Flashforge Adventurer 4 3D printer to help students bring their designs to life.  

Building on the success of its inaugural year, the Kids in Space program received an outstanding response with more than 700 expressions of interest from passionate teachers and schools nationwide. 

2023’s inaugural national program impacted around 10,000 primary and middle school students, hundreds of teachers and 70+ schools in every state and territory. Starting with state/territory professional development days with guest speakers from the space industry, followed by state/territory finals in June/July, Kids in Space culminated in the national finals at the Australian Space Discovery Centre in Adelaide in October, with the winning state/territory finalists flown in. 

2024 Kids in Space Schools for Queensland
Chinchilla State School, Chinchilla 

Dalby South State School, Dalby 

St Mary’s College, Toowoomba 

St Patrick’s School, Allora 

St Stephen’s Catholic Primary School, Pittsworth 

Vale View State School, Vale View 

Rangeville State School, Rangeville

Tara Shire State College, Tara 

Moffatdale State School, Moffatdale 

Warwick West State School, Warwick 

Meringandan State School, Meringandan West  

Kulpi State School, Kulpi 

The selected schools include government, independent, and Catholic schools located in metropolitan, regional, and remote areas. Among these schools, 62% fall under the category of schools with an Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) value below 1000. 

“We love engaging students in STEM learning with industry links and real-world applications, and helping them develop vital skills in problem-solving, collaboration, critical thinking, communication and citizenship,” said Jon Soong, CEO of Makers Empire. 

 A list of schools in NSW, QLD, NT and SA awarded a place can be found on the Makers Empire website 

https://www.makersempire.com/kids-in-space-expands-in-2024-qld-nsw-nt-sa-schools/ 

(VIC, TAS, ACT and WA schools will be announced soon.) 

About Makers Empire 

Makes Empire provides primary, elementary and middle school teachers with the tools, skills and resources to improve STEM learning outcomes for students, confidently teach Design & Technology curricula and engage students in authentic, real-world problem solving. In-app tutorials, daily challenges and curriculum-aligned challenge courses build students’ creative confidence and develop their Design Thinking skills.

Image from left to right:
Dr Matt Richardson (iLAuNCH), Mr Darin Lovett (iLAuNCH), Mr Garth Hamilton MP, Mr Lapmun Leung (Makers Empire).