Lunar Science and Space Exploration

The year 10 students working on the Moon Camp Challenge visited Adelaide University to learn about space exploration, lunar science, and the challenges of establishing human habitats on the Moon. Students engaged in hands-on learning experiences and discussions with experts and scientists in the field.

The day began with a Rover crater chaos workshop, where students learnt about the equipment used for space exploration and used coding and the Engineering Design Process (EDP) to operate robot rovers and get them in and out of a simulated crater. In the second workshop areas for entertainment, dining, medical care, and living quarters within a Moon base were discussed, designed and presented, while considering the unique challenges of the lunar environment. Our students exhibited strong critical thinking skills during the session. The day ended with a visit to the Extraterrestrial Environmental Simulation (EXTERRES) laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility specifically designed to simulate off-Earth environments for testing space technology, like rovers which are destined for the furthest reaches of the universe.

Students developed a deeper appreciation for space exploration, a solid understanding of lunar science and the ability to think critically and creatively about the challenges of establishing a sustainable lunar base.

Fiona Dimopoulos
Teacher of Mathematics and Physics

Andrew Dodson
Faculty Leader Science and Technology