Biomedical Space Hub (BSH)
The Challenge Task
taking students into the world of design for human habitation using industry standard design tools
You are a team of Engineers, Scientists and Entrepreneurs. You must form a virtual company consisting of up to five students who will all have different roles and responsibilities in designing the Bio-Medical Space Hub.
As a newly formed company, you’ll need to create a well-structured organisation. Each team member needs a clear role, title and shares the workload for the project’s duration. These roles may include the following:
- Team Leader
- Team Scientist
- Design Engineer
- Virtual Reality Engineer
- Mars Environmental Engineer
- Marketing and Communications Manager
As a new business, you’ll need to come up to speed quickly on all things involved in space travel. You will need to understand how a crew might use the Hub and define a definition for the use of the Hub.
Setting up on a new planet will require some detailed planning. You are new to the space industry, so you’ll need to learn about the latest issues influencing space travel.
The stand-alone, modular Bio-medical Space Hub should be able to operate as a laboratory, medical centre and operating theatre. You will need to consider design options that will set your design apart from the competition.
Project Elements
Your task is to design the Bio-medical Space Hub, but you must present and sell your ideas to industry professionals. You’ll need to create marketing material and develop awareness for your company and your design. You could achieve this by developing logos, advertisement, media exposure, social media and marketing materials.
The presentation of your project will involve the following elements:
- Development of a 3D model of your design using Sketch-up. Using a product called Sketch-up, students will build a 3D model of their design. Sketch-up is straightforward to use 3D modelling tool which the students will learn quite quickly. There is a plethora of online training material on how to use Sketch-up.
- A trade display which highlights your team, company profile, the science behind your design, the advantages and the benefits your design. These advantages may include transportability, operational efficiency and sustainability.
- A ten-minute verbal presentation, in essence, a sales pitch, describing your team, your design and its benefits. This presentation will be delivered to a group of Engineers, Scientists and Managers from Industry.
- A 12 page A3 or up to 20 page A4 portfolio covering your company, your team and your design.
Your project will be assessed based on a range of criteria, including the application of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics principles, any collaboration you undertake and your design process.
Eligibility & Team Makeup
Teams – Each team must consist of a minimum of three and a maximum of five students in years 5 through 12. The young people may all be of the same age or a mixture of young people of different ages. Educational organisations may set teams with young people from across other year groups. Teams of more than five will not be allowed to enter the competition.
Class – The challenge is in two categories for entry into the competition, Development and Professional. Each team must decide which category they would like to enter before registering to compete at a state final. The two classes will be judged separately from each other, and separate awards will be presented.
Development Class – This is open to students in years 5 through 8 entering the challenge for the first time.
Any student from a Development Class team who wishes to re-enter the competition can only enter as a Professional team.
Professional Class – This class is open to teams in years 7 through 12 and existing teams who previously competed in the Development Class in year 6.
Get Involved
Getting involved is easy. We provide a teachers guide that steps you through establishing and running SPACE in Schools, and we can connect you to teachers in your area who will be able to share knowledge, experience and resources.
There is also a design guide that will soon be available for download to assist students and teachers with the project and aid the design development journey.
Schools and students wanting to undertake the SPACE in Schools MTV program must register their interest below. We will then include you in all the relevant emails, newsletters, and communications to help you get started in SPACE in Schools.
All teams must be registered before their first competition event and before the published team registrations deadline to participate in State or National competitions. In addition, a Challenge Agreement Form must be completed by the supervising teacher, parent/guardian where applicable and returned to REA before the cut-off dates.
There are no fees associated with School Registration. Fees will only apply to those teams that represent their region at a State or National Final.
