What’ll Happen to the Wattle?

For those interested in space exploration there are lots of studies required to understand space impacts and 0-gravity on biology.

In Australia there is one such project studying 0-gravity impacts on seeds and whether growth might be affected.

A selection of 150 organisations across Australia will conduct the study. The idea is as follows:

⦁ In collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) the seeds will live in space for six months, returning to Australia in time for Science Week 2021.

⦁ Once selected, the chosen schools around Australia will receive wattle seeds that have flown to space, plus seeds that have not. The seeds are from the same seed lot. Students are asked to germinate and grow their seeds, recording data about the germination and seed growth and is supported by the Australian Space Agency, and the "What’ll Happen with the Wattle??!" programme.  

⦁ The data will be collated and compared for any gravity effects.  

In a competitive selection process, Trinity College was successful in its bid to partake in this Australia-wide study.

After being sent to space on the SpaceX launch in December, students will grow seeds in miniature hot houses and observe for several months collecting the data for submission to the "What’ll Happen with the Wattle??!" database. The seedlings would then be distributed and hopefully we can grow a couple at the school for long term comparisons.  

This provides a great opportunity for our senior science students to be involved in a large study which will contribute findings for science and future space exploration.

The SpaceX rocket has now been launched. Check out the website below for more information or see Dr Adam Karpala for additional details.  

https://iss.jaxa.jp/en/kuoa/news/200901.html