What would it take to grow food on the Moon? How might we build ecosystems that can survive in space — and what can this teach us about caring for our own planet? These are the kinds of questions our Year 6 STRIVE Extension students at our college are exploring through an exciting collaboration with scientists from the University of Western Australia (UWA) and the Plants4Space program.
The Plants4Space initiative, part of the Ecosystems Beyond Earth learning series developed by the Australian Academy of Science, connects classrooms with real scientists to explore how humans might survive and thrive beyond Earth. The program provides hands-on experiments and data-driven learning experiences that link directly to the curriculum — building students’ understanding of ecosystems, sustainability, plant science, and biosecurity.
Over the term, our students have been working with UWA scientists to investigate the challenges of growing plants in space, while also considering the ethical, environmental, and legal implications of space travel and settlement. With the first lunar settlement proposed for 2030, these conversations are both timely and inspiring.
In true Kimberley spirit, students are also looking to their own backyard for solutions — exploring Kimberley bush foods as potential “space foods.” By blending traditional ecological knowledge with scientific inquiry, they are demonstrating how cultural perspectives can contribute to global innovation.
The project has also involved panel discussions where students pose their own questions to scientists and consider how they, too, can be part of solving real-world challenges. Through these discussions, they’re developing skills in critical thinking, ethical reasoning, collaboration, and communication — all central to the College’s STEAM and Design Thinking approach.
“This collaboration has been such a powerful way for our students to see that science is not just about facts, but about curiosity, creativity, and connection,” said Zoe Court, Director of Academic Extension and Innovation. “They’re learning that the same principles we use to care for Country here on Earth can guide us as we think about life beyond it.”
The partnership will continue into 2026, with students contributing data, sharing ideas, and learning alongside UWA researchers as they explore the future of food, ecosystems, and sustainability — on Earth and beyond.
