STEM learning involves children playing — demonstrating a natural curiosity to the world around them. Now, this curiosity can explore the Moon.
Starting this month, young space enthusiasts across Australia could access a unique Agency supported space mission at a library near them.
The mission — Junior Universe Mechatronic Pilot (J.U.M.P) — is an exciting activity specially designed to encourage children aged 5-10 years to create, discover, and be inspired.
The J.U.M.P mission consists of interactive equipment and micro-missions that help space enthusiasts of all ages with basic science and engineering knowledge about a lunar rover.
Create, discover and be inspired
STEM explorations support children to develop skills that have become increasingly important for 21st century learning.
In collaboration with the Agency, Children's Discovery, a not-for-profit enterprise, have produced this 'mission'.
Packaged in a box, this new learning activity includes several interactive tools such as a programmable robot, numerous payloads for each mission, and a test track.
A mission guide will also provide children instructions on how to complete specific challenges that are examples of what a rover may face in the harsh expanse of space.
For instance, using the provided solar panel and voltmeter, youngsters can experiment how a rover may use sunlight to power itself.
An investigative-learning box
The contents of the box include:
| Items | Purpose | |
| 1. | A robot | Programmable and demonstrates remote vehicle technology. |
| 2. | LEGO compatible components |
Provides technology options like replacing wheels with track or attaching solar panel onto the robot. |
| 3. | Remote control unit | Allows experimenting with the robot's programming for remote controller operation. |
| 4. | Solar panel with USB | Allows experiments on solar charging technology. |
| 5. | Voltmeter | Allows experiments to measure and collect data on solar charging under difference conditions. |
| 6. | Weather station with satellite sensor. |
Demonstrates remote (satellite) sensing technology and experiments regarding solar charging conditions. |
| 7. | Test track | Test the robot's programming. |
| 8. | Meteorite on a card |
Provides context to 'space' mission: collection and analysis of mineral resources. |
| 9. | Torch | Demonstrates the robot's 'follow torch' program. |
| 10. | Mission guide | Information and instructions on building the robot rover, attaching solar panel, micro-missions. |
Find your nearest location
The J.U.M.P. mission is available across 139 libraries around the country.
New South Wales
| Barham Library |
| Bathurst Library |
| Bayside Library |
| Bega Valley Shire Library |
| Bellingen Shire Library |
| Big Sky Libraries Moree Community library |
| Broken Hill City Library |
| Burwood Library |
| Camden Council Libraries |
| Central Coast Library Services (Kariong) |
| Central Northern Regional Library |
| Central West Libraries |
| City of Canada Bay Libraries |
| Cowra Library |
| Eurobodalla Libraries |
| Gilgandra Shire Library |
| Goulburn Mulwaree Library |
| Grenfell Public Library |
| Hawkesbury LIbrary Service |
| Hilltops Council Library |
| Kempsey Shire Libraries |
| Kiama Library |
| Ku-ring-gai Library |
| Kyogle (Richmond-Upper Clarence Regional Library) |
| Lane Cove Library |
| Liverpool Plains Shire Libraries (Quirindi and Werris Creek Libraries) |
| Macquarie Regional Library |
| Maitland Libraries |
| Mosman Library |
| Narrabri Shire Libraries |
| Newcastle Libraries |
| Northern Beaches Libraries |
| Penrith City Libraries |
| Port Macquarie Hastings |
| Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council |
| Richmond Tweed Regional Library |
| Richmond-Upper Clarence Regional Library |
| Shellharbour Libraries |
| Shoalhaven Libraries |
| Singleton Public Library |
| Snowy Monaro Regional Library |
| Strathfield Council Library |
| Tenterfield Public Library |
| Upper Lachlan Shire Library Service |
| Wagga Wagga City Library |
| Warren Shire Library |
| Wingecarribee Public Libraries |
| Wollondilly Library |
| Woollahra Libraries |
| Yass Valley Library |
Victoria
| Benalla Library |
| Brimbank Libraries |
| Discovery Science & Technology Centre |
| East Gippsland Shire Library |
| Gannawarra Shire Council |
| Glen Eira City Council |
| Glenelg Shire Council |
| Hindmarsh Shire Council |
| Kingston Libraries |
| Maribyrnong Library Services |
| Mornington Peninsular |
| Pakenham Library |
| Scienceworks, Melbourne Museum |
| Wangaratta Library |
| Wellington |
| Whitehorse Manningham |
| Wimmera Libraries |
| Yarra Libraries |
| Yarriambiack Libraries |
| YourLibrary |
Queensland
| Banana Shire Libraries |
| Barcoo Library Services, Jundah Public Library |
| Bundaberg Regional Council Library |
| Burdekin Library |
| Carins Regional Council |
| Cassowary Coast Library and Museum Services |
| CHARTERS TOWERS REGIONAL COUNCIL |
| Croydon Shire Council |
| Fraser Coast Libraries |
| Gladstone Regional Libraries |
| Gympie Regional Libraries |
| Livingstone Shire Council |
| Lockyer Valley Regional Council / Lockyer Valley Libraries |
| Logan City Council Library |
| Maranoa Regional Council Libraries |
| Mornington Island Shire |
| Mount Isa City Library |
| Murweh Shire Council Charleville Public library |
| Noosa Library Services |
| North Burnett Regional Council Libraries |
| Rockhampton Regional Council Libraries |
| Scenic Rim Council Library |
| State Library of Queensland |
| Tambo + Blackall libraries |
| Toowoomba Region Libraries |
| Weipa Town Authority |
| Western Downs Regional Council Libraries |
South Australia
| Barossa Libraries |
| Berri Barmera Council Library |
| Central Yorke Peninsula Community Library |
| Cummins School Community Library |
| Hawker School Community Library |
| Light Regional Council |
| Naracoorte Library |
| Port Pirie Regional Library |
| Tailem Bend School Community Library |
| Victor Harbor Public Library |
| Whyalla City Council |
| Yankalilla Library Service |
| Adelaide Hills Library Service |
| Burnside Library |
| Charles Sturt Library Services |
| City of Mount Gambier |
| Kingston Community School Library |
| Loxton Waikerie District Council |
Western Australia
| Albany Public Library |
| Broome Public Library |
| Carnarvon Public Library |
| City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Council Library |
| City of Perth Library |
| Collie Public Library |
| Geraldton Public Library |
| Harvey Public Library |
| Karratha Public Library |
| Northam Region Library |
| Port Hedland Public Library |
| Shire of Merredin Library |
| State Library of Western Australia |
| Williams Public Library |
| The Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory |
| Scitech |
| Shire of Augusta Margaret River libraries |
Australian Capital Territory
| Libraries ACT |
| Questacon |
Northern Territory
| Library & Archives NT |
Tasmania
| Libraries Tasmania |
| St Helens |
| George Town Library |
Learning resources and activities
We have created more learning resources for parents and teachers to continue inspiring young people at home and in the classroom.
Main image caption: An illustration of the Agency's supported J.U.M.P. mission. Credit: Children's Discovery.