One Giant Leap Radio

One Giant Leap Australia, in collaboration with the Australian Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is thrilled to announce that two Australian students have had their proposed experiment accepted to be conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Asian Try Zero-G competition.Students Hayley Yousef and Kaila Elias, alumni of One Giant Leap Australia’s space education programs, have designed an innovative experiment titled “Water Spring.” This experiment aims to explore and observe how water responds to contraction and expansion mechanical forces, utilising a slinky, and how water’s fluid dynamics respond to these and other forces in the microgravity environment of space.

https://onegiantleapaustralia.com/asian-try-zero-g/

Dr Lisa Newman is a lecturer and researcher in food science and nutrition whose work explores how taste and smell shape eating behaviour. Her research focuses on improving food acceptance and nutritional outcomes, particularly for individuals with altered sensory perception, including children with fussy eating, people with autism, older adults, and those in isolated or extreme environments, like space. She uses innovative approaches such as sensory play and digital simulations to better understand and enhance how people experience food.

Through her outreach activities, Lisa collaborates with organisations such as Lunaria One and Australian Lunar Experiment Promoting Horticulture (ALEPH) to explore how space-inspired education can engage students with food and science. Together, this work investigates how interacting with plants, particularly in space-based or simulated environments, can positively influence children’s willingness to try new foods and build healthier eating habits. By linking sensory science with hands-on, immersive learning, these collaborations help bring the latest research into classrooms and inspire students to see the connections between food, health, and future space exploration.

Alongside her research, Lisa is a passionate educator committed to making science engaging, relevant, and accessible. Through her teaching and outreach work, she connects students with real-world applications of food science, from everyday eating experiences to challenges in unique environments like space. She aims to inspire curiosity and show students how understanding our senses can help solve practical problems, improve wellbeing, and open pathways into exciting careers in science.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/profiles/n/lisa-newman  
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa--newman/

In this episode, One Giant Leap Australia Director, Jackie Carpenter speaks to a Space Tour USA participant and Aeronautical Engineering Student, Redmond Henry.

Jackie Carpenter has a diverse and long-standing background in education and is widely recognised as a dynamic speaker and engaging teacher. Her passion for STEM and STEAM is embedded in the broader mission of One Giant Leap Australia, which works with industry, academia, government and the community to expand pathways and improve access to future-focused careers.

Through her work, Jackie actively connects industry and education through innovation, creating meaningful opportunities for students to explore emerging fields and career possibilities. Her vision is to build an organisation that helps drive the transformation of Australian Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics education, equipping young Australians with the knowledge, skills and inspiration to thrive in the opportunities of the future.

One Giant Leap Australia Director, Jackie Carpenter, speaks with Gregory Pitonza about his exciting adventures in Space Education!

Gregory Pitonza is a dedicated and accomplished educator with a rich background in technology education and interdisciplinary studies. He holds a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies with a specialisation in Expressive Design Process from Union Institute & University, where his dissertation focused on the need for hands-on expression. Gregory also earned an MA in Social Ecology from Goddard College, with a thesis on sustainable environmental technology and individualised learning in community-based classrooms. His academic journey began with a BS in Technology Education from SUNY College at Oswego, supplemented by various coursework in electronics and gender equity.

Gregory’s professional career spans several decades, during which he has made significant contributions to technology education at various educational institutions. Currently, he serves as the STEM Ranch Camp Director at Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation in Brant Lake, NY, a role he has held since 2016. In addition, he is a conference presenter and workshop instructor, a substitute teacher for the Canajoharie Central School District, and a program volunteer for One Giant Leap Australia. Gregory is also an author, working on projects such as “FINAO / FIANO, Failure Is Not An Option, and A Necessary Opportunity.”His extensive teaching experience includes positions at Canajoharie Middle School, Stuart M. Townsend Middle School, Owen D. Young Central School, Dolgeville Middle and James A. Green High School, and Harry Hoag Middle School.

Throughout his career, Gregory has taught a wide range of technology education courses, from introductory technology to architectural drawing and materials processing. He has also been actively involved in extracurricular activities, serving as a student council advisor, technology club advisor, and co-organizer of the Recyclable Regatta.

In addition to his work with younger students, Gregory has also contributed to adult education. He taught Adirondack Chair Building courses at Corinth High School and has experience as a student teacher at various schools, including Leighton Elementary School and South Colonie High School. His early career included roles as a substitute technology education teacher and teacher aide. Gregory’s passion for education extends beyond the classroom.

He has been a project leader and classroom flight director for Mission Control in the Classroom, and has presented at the Space Exploration Educators Conference. His presentations, such as “Mission Control – GO for Learning,” highlight his innovative approach to education, using NASA Mission Control as a model for fostering student interest and growth. Gregory has also published articles on topics like STEM education and the Recyclable Regatta, contributing to professional journals and magazines. 

Overall, Gregory A. Pitonza’s career is marked by a commitment to hands-on, interdisciplinary learning and a dedication to fostering student growth and community involvement. His diverse experiences and innovative approaches to education make him a valuable asset to any educational institution or program.

In this episode, we chat with Sawsan Omira, a trailblazer whose path through aerospace engineering, leadership, and energy research proves that girls belong in STEM.

Connect with Sawsan to learn more about her work and journey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sawsanomira/ 

Gadget Girlz is an Australian-based group that encourages and supports girls and women to explore and get involved in STEAM — that’s Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics. The group focuses on building leadership, confidence, communication, and technical skills through hands-on activities and community engagement.

https://gadgetgirlz.com.au

Ron Rosano is one of those rare figures who blends lived spaceflight experience with decades of grassroots astronomy education. As the 668th human to travel into space and Virgin Galactic Astronaut #17, he has spent more than 30 years inspiring students around the world through informal astronomy and spaceflight outreach. His work includes creating the Suborbital Flight Journal, contributing as a long time NASA Solar System Ambassador, and leading Galactic Unite Spacechats. These programs have connected tens of thousands of students with astronauts and space professionals. His passion for sharing the wonder of space is matched only by his commitment to making those experiences accessible to learners everywhere.On 11 February at 7:30 am Sydney time,

One Giant Leap Australia will be hosting a very special webinar with Ron. He will be making some ‘out of this world’ announcements that should not be missed! It will be an extraordinary opportunity to hear directly from someone who has not only witnessed Earth from space but has dedicated his life to helping others reach for the stars. The session will explore his journey, his educational outreach, and the future of suborbital flight, with time for participants to ask questions and engage in conversation. It promises to be an energising and insightful start to the day, bringing Ron’s unique blend of expertise, humility, and enthusiasm to our community.

February 11th 2025 at 7:30 am Sydney time

Register here https://onegiantleapaustralia.com/ron-rosano-webinar/

Australian Astronaut Eric Philips tells us what it is like to orbit the Earth!

"After nearly four days on-orbit, Dragon and the Fram2 crew safely splashed down at 9:19 a.m. PT off the coast of Oceanside, California, completing the first human spaceflight mission to explore Earth from a polar orbit and fly over the Earth’s polar regions. This was also Dragon’s first West Coast recovery since 2019 and the first Dragon human spaceflight mission to splash down in the Pacific Ocean." - https://ericphilips.com

The Australian Lunar Experiment Promoting Horticulture (or ALEPH) mission, which will involve a number of firsts in space travel history, will place a carefully selected set of seeds and plants on the Moon. Once on the lunar surface, we aim to show plant growth within the first 3 days of landing. The motivation for such a mission comes from humanity’s passion to explore and see life thrive in barren landscapes. We see the ALEPH payload as the first step towards our eventual goal of providing plants for food, medicine, oxygen production and general wellbeing for future astronauts living on the Moon and beyond. One Giant Leap Australia is part of this incredible consortium and is providing a free workshop for students to learn about this initiative at RMIT University.

In this episode we learn more about Invertigro's incredible hydroponic system which will be used in this exciting mission.

In this episode, we speak to Jeff Xu from www.micropod.com.au about the ALEPH Mission: www.lunaria.one/aleph/ 

The Australian Lunar Experiment Promoting Horticulture (or ALEPH) mission, which will involve a number of firsts in space travel history, will place a carefully selected set of seeds and plants on the Moon.

Once on the lunar surface, we aim to show plant growth within the first 3 days of landing. The motivation for such a mission comes from humanity’s passion to explore and see life thrive in barren landscapes. We see the ALEPH payload as the first step towards our eventual goal of providing plants for food, medicine, oxygen production and general wellbeing for future astronauts living on the Moon and beyond.

One Giant Leap Australia is part of this incredible consortium and is providing a free workshop for students to learn about this initiative. We are looking for 32 young space explorers between the ages of 11 to 14 to participate. This event will be held at the RMIT Bundoona Campus on the 10th and 11th of May 2025. 

This free one day workshop includes:

• Learning about careers in space
• Talking to space / engineering experts
• ALEPH Mission Challenges
• Take home growing kits

…..and much more! Applications are open now and close on the 24th of April at 10pm AEST Apply here(a button with a link- https://forms.gle/u9shPVwmwCj6N7EG7 )

Eric is the founder and head guide at Icetrek Expeditions. With a history rooted in professional adventuring, Eric, from Australia, brings to guiding decades of personal experiences skiing to both the North and South Poles and across every major icecap in the world. In early 2025 he is scheduled to be the first Astronaut to fly under the Australian flag with Space X!

Visit Eric's website www.ericphilips.com