16 February 2023

Shelley Waldon’s career has taken a giant leap all the way to Mars and she’s taking teachers from Catholic schools with her.

Science & STEM Lead at Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS), Shelley has been working with The Andy Thomas Space Foundation and Makers Empire to train teachers from Catholic schools in a program called ‘Kids in Space’. The program requires students to ideate and empathise with real space problems, and use resources like 3D design and printing to build solutions.

Shelley recently visited the Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC) to see the simulated surface of Mars and to work with teachers undertaking training for their own space missions with students. Teachers wanting to get their students involved in problem-solving could consider entering the STEM MAD (Making a Difference) Showcase in October. For more information, visit the STEM MAD website.