Space Wattle

WPPS were lucky enough to receive a very important announcement from the organisation ‘One Giant Leap Foundation.’ You’re probably wondering what the ‘One Giant leap Foundation ‘is and why Wattle Park Primary received the news, so read along and see our SPACE WATTLE Video HERE

In collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) the seeds will live in space for six months, returning to Australia in time for Science Week 2021.

Supported by the Australian Space Agency, the "What’ll happen with the wattle??!" programme is being offered to more than 150 schools, scout groups and Australian Air Force Cadets across Australia. Wattle Park Primary School was chosen as one of those schools to receive wattle seeds that have flown to space, plus seeds that have not. The seeds are from the same seed lot. Students are asked to germinate and grow their seeds, recording data about the germination and seed growth. Data will be uploaded to the ‘What’ll happen to the wattle??!’ app.

Throughout the programme, One Giant Leap Australia Foundation will run teleconferences and provide educational support to participating groups.

The 12-month to 2 year project will result in the creation of a nationwide map identifying the location of Australia‘s 'space wattle’ trees.

The project is an historic opportunity for Australian schools and students and Wattle Park Primary School was chosen!

To be a successful school we had to create a 1-2 minute video, write a script and then write a 200 word submission of why we should be involved.

It was certainly a team effort with Ms Statkus Year 5 teacher actually discovering the competition, Dr Karl Jenkinson who wrote the script, videoing by Mr Justin Wong, written submission by Gayle, the Principal and tremendous acting by Year 6 students Coco P and Alice C with a star performance by Year 6 teacher Mr James Feather.

As a state primary school, our school’s Science curriculum is highly regarded as all students receive weekly science lessons with their class teachers who have a strong science knowledge. We have been involved in research projects with CSIRO, Deakin and Swinburne Universities but never one involving space. So we are all so very excited!

It is a two year project so it will involve the current Year 5 and Year 4 students.