The Moama Grammar team taking part in the NSW Space Discovery Program. Photos: Supplied.
Students from Moama Anglican Grammar School have spent nine weeks working on two projects to solve problems in outer space.
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The projects are part of the NSW Space Discovery Program, where 18 schools across NSW were chosen to identify a space problem and brainstorm solutions.
Moama Grammar teachers Justin Minchin and Cindy-Lee Pedrana have helped guide the students through the program.
Angus Frew, Bruce Bensch, Rafael Hildebrand and Gracie Fear holding their printed designs next the 3D printer.
Mr Minchin said he had seen so much growth among the students compared to when they began the project.
“It’s been really great (watching them) go from not much experience in 3D modelling to where they are now,” he said.
“They can actually build these things and design it, then print it and to actually get to physically hold what they’ve made has been really good for them.
“They've done a spectacular job to get from where they were to where they are and then to actually go and present next week — it'll be huge for them. They’re really excited.”
Rafael Hildebrand, Imogen Smith, Angus Frew, Aiden Thomson and Gracie Fear were tackling cancer in space.
The two projects were created by two groups of Year 5 and 6 students who were individually selected to take part in the program.
Once the groups decided on the issues they would address, they designed innovative prototypes using Makers Empire 3D design software before printing them using a 3D printer.
One group chose to tackle the reduction of cancer among astronauts by creating equipment such as goggles and spacesuits that decreased contact with radiation.
They also designed a machine that would collect the radiation and turn it into energy.
Bruce Bensch, Newton Jack, Eli O'Sullivan, Greta Broadhead, Lily Wildes and Autumn Corlett-Love hope to help astronauts relax with their robot pets.
The second group focused on ways to make astronauts more relaxed in space by creating robot pets that they could take into space and play with.
The group designed the pets and even a bed chamber for them to relax in the spaceship.
The participating schools will come together on Tuesday, June 10 at the Optus Business Centre in Sydney to showcase their projects and have them judged.
Teacher Cindy-Lee Pedrana and Gracie Fear working on the project.
Some of the Moama Grammar students will travel to Sydney for the event, while others will present remotely via Zoom.
If the students are successful in Sydney, they will move on to the next stage in Adelaide later this year.
The Space Discovery Program aims to deepen students’ understanding of the rapidly growing space technology industry and inspire them to consider careers in space technology and STEM-related fields.
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