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Cosmic Crops

Teachers and students — step into the role of space-bound scientists and engineers with Plants for Space and join our dynamic three-part program to help design life beyond Earth

Comic Crops is a curriculum-linked STEM learning program connecting classrooms with cutting-edge research into how plants can sustain life beyond Earth. Developed with Plants for Space researchers and educators, the three-part program includes: 

1.Teacher Professional Learning
Teachers will:
  • Meet Plants for Space researchers and discover the science of growing plants in space.
  • Explore free, classroom-ready investigations using authentic research data and experimental protocols.
  • Learn how to embed critical thinking into STEM through curriculum-linked inquiry.
  • Plan engaging STEM units to take straight back to the classroom.
2.Plants for Space ready to use Teaching and Learning resources 
  • Lesson plans
  • Videos
  • Readers
  • Activities
3.Student Excursions & Incursions
Students work alongside researchers as plant biologists, engineers and food scientists in hands-on workshops exploring:
  • space food and nutrition
  • future plants and sustainable agriculture
  • technologies that support life beyond Earth
  • STEM careers shaping our future.
Together, these experiences build scientific understanding, critical thinking and curiosity while inspiring students to tackle one of humanity's biggest questions:

How can humans survive and thrive beyond Earth?

Delivered once each school term.
Register your interest today and inspire the next generation of space scientists and innovators.

Register your Interest in the Cosmic Crops Program:

Victoria Primary Cosmic Crop Program

Victorian Secondary Cosmic Crop Program

South Australia Cosmic Crop Program

Western Australia Cosmic Crop Program

Online Cosmic Crop Program

 

Curriculum links (Australian national curriculum number): 

3-10 Science Understanding- Biological sciences 

3-10 Science as a human endeavor 

3-10 Science inquiry 

ATSIL professional standards:  

Content knowledge (Standard 2) 
Teaching strategies and pedagogy (Standard 3) 
Ability to use inquiry / STEM approaches (Standards 2 & 3) 
Capacity to engage students in future-focused learning (Standards 1 & 3) 
Understanding of sustainability / real-world STEM contexts (Standard 2) 
Confidence to implement new learning in practice (Standard 6)