One Giant Leap Australia has showcased student projects for their program- The Connecting Minds Project (CMP). The projects were delivered by Japanese and Australian students in person and online at the Australia Pavilion at the Osaka World Expo. The CMP marks an international space Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education collaboration between 13 schools within Australia and Japan. A total of 150 students took part of the CMP, and delivered high level projects that involve space agriculture, underground Mars habitation, how to eliminate space debris, and more.
Australian and Japanese educators worked collaboratively to develop and trial space focused STEM teaching strategies and workshops with groups students in their respective schools. The aim was to build capability and capacity of students to increase their uptake of space STEM careers. The project’s presence at the Osaka World Expo provides Japanese teachers and students the opportunity to showcase the outcomes of collaborations whilst Australian educators can deliver virtual presentations. A contingent of eleven students from all over New South Wales and Victoria were able to make it to the event and present in person as well as meet their Japanese student partners of which they have been working with for the past 7 months.
Jenna McCarthy, International Education Outreach Manager for One Giant Leap Australia, said “The innovative approaches and initiatives the students have tirelessly been working on showcase their incredible talents. These students are the leaders of the future- and it is thanks to the hardworking teachers and educators that have given them support.” Jenna has been part of the team that has co-ordinated the CMP, and has been assisting all the Japanese and Australian schools with their projects.
Through collaboration and global outreach, One Giant Leap Australia hope to inspire our communities to view a space STEM career as one to strive towards and achieve.
Through global outreach, experiential learning and leadership development, the CMP will forge lasting professional relationships and help create the STEM leaders of tomorrow.
