Science and Mathematics 

Not only has Marian College been accepted into the SpaceX Wattle Seed program, we will also be part of the Asian Herb In Space program.

We have had word from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) that the basil seeds are on their way to One Giant Leap Australia Foundation Headquarters. You can keep up to date with the activities of JAXA here - https://global.jaxa.jp/

The Asian Herb in Space (AHiS) project is the third Space Seed for Asian Future (SSAF) program of Kibo-ABC. In the AHiS experiment, sweet basil and holy basil will be grown in the ISS for one month. After growing the basil plants on the ISS, the experiment will be returned to Earth and undergo detailed investigations such as morphological, scent and gene expression analysis. 

Objectives of the program

• Encourage scientific research between students, schools, universities, and space agencies across the world.
• Promote environmental and microgravity science
• Develop interest and skills in scientific space experiments and methodology
• Inspire further research for the students and academics both nationally and internationally
• Investigate the effect of microgravity on plant growth in comparison to their counterparts on earth.

Our Year 7 Science students will then be performing scientific investigations on the effect of space on the herbs during their Science lessons. We can’t wait for our Year 7 Science students to be part of this amazing, once in a life time opportunity!

Suzanne Matejin (Learning Leader Mathematics and Science)