Charlestown Public School is the 2024 winner of the NSW final of the Kids in Space challenge.

Charlestown Public was named the winner ahead of seven other NSW schools last Thursday and will now participate in the national finals in November at the Australian Space Discovery Centre in Adelaide.

Kids in Space is an Australia-first, national education program that engages students in exciting, space-themed STEM learning and design thinking.

It introduces students to space technology and promotes awareness of job opportunities in the space industry.

Now in its second year, the program is run by the Andy Thomas Space Foundation, along with project supporter, the Australian Space Agency, and delivery partner, Makers Empire.

As part of the program, students complete a space-themed challenge course and work on responses to a design thinking challenge.

The design thinking challenge requires students to create something that might help astronauts to work and live in space or use space technologies that will help solve a problem on Earth.

Charlestown Public student Rosie told ABC Newcastle the school had designed a special sleeping aid for astronauts.

“Our idea was kind of like a sleeping mask for astronauts in space,” she said.

“With, like, LEDs and memory foam around the outside, so it’s comfortable for them to sleep.”

Charlestown Public Assistant Principal, Brian Gaffney, said the students had then refined the concept further.

“The mask goes over the astronaut’s eyes and uses red and amber-coloured light, which induces our sleep cycle, to try and help the astronauts sleep and work better,” Mr Gaffney told ABC Newcastle.

Schools participating in the Kids in Space program receive a package worth $6500, which includes professional development and training, Makers Empire 3D design tools and resources and a 3D printer.

Andy Thomas Space Foundation Executive Director, Peter Nikoloff, said the Kids in Space program continued to grow in popularity across the country.

“With almost 700 applications from teachers across Australia for Kids in Space in 2024, it’s clear that schools are more eager than ever to help students develop an interest in space,” he said.

“We’re excited to continue encouraging more Australian students and teachers to develop an interest in space, so more students are motivated to consider a career in space.”