One Giant Leap Radio

One Giant Leap Australia Director, Jackie Carpenter, speaks with Gregory Pitonza about his exciting adventures in Space Education!Gregory Pitonza is a dedicated and accomplished educator with a rich background in technology education and interdisciplinary studies. He holds a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies with a specialisation in Expressive Design Process from Union Institute & University, where his dissertation focused on the need for hands-on expression. Gregory also earned an MA in Social Ecology from Goddard College, with a thesis on sustainable environmental technology and individualised learning in community-based classrooms. His academic journey began with a BS in Technology Education from SUNY College at Oswego, supplemented by various coursework in electronics and gender equity.Gregory's professional career spans several decades, during which he has made significant contributions to technology education at various educational institutions. Currently, he serves as the STEM Ranch Camp Director at Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation in Brant Lake, NY, a role he has held since 2016. In addition, he is a conference presenter and workshop instructor, a substitute teacher for the Canajoharie Central School District, and a program volunteer for One Giant Leap Australia. Gregory is also an author, working on projects such as “FINAO / FIANO, Failure Is Not An Option, and A Necessary Opportunity.”His extensive teaching experience includes positions at Canajoharie Middle School, Stuart M. Townsend Middle School, Owen D. Young Central School, Dolgeville Middle and James A. Green High School, and Harry Hoag Middle School.Throughout his career, Gregory has taught a wide range of technology education courses, from introductory technology to architectural drawing and materials processing. He has also been actively involved in extracurricular activities, serving as a student council advisor, technology club advisor, and co-organizer of the Recyclable Regatta.In addition to his work with younger students, Gregory has also contributed to adult education. He taught Adirondack Chair Building courses at Corinth High School and has experience as a student teacher at various schools, including Leighton Elementary School and South Colonie High School. His early career included roles as a substitute technology education teacher and teacher aide. Gregory's passion for education extends beyond the classroom.He has been a project leader and classroom flight director for Mission Control in the Classroom, and has presented at the Space Exploration Educators Conference. His presentations, such as “Mission Control – GO for Learning,” highlight his innovative approach to education, using NASA Mission Control as a model for fostering student interest and growth. Gregory has also published articles on topics like STEM education and the Recyclable Regatta, contributing to professional journals and magazines. Overall, Gregory A. Pitonza's career is marked by a commitment to hands-on, interdisciplinary learning and a dedication to fostering student growth and community involvement. His diverse experiences and innovative approaches to education make him a valuable asset to any educational institution or program.

In this episode, we chat with Sawsan Omira, a trailblazer whose path through aerospace engineering, leadership, and energy research proves that girls belong in STEM.Connect with Sawsan to learn more about her work and journey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sawsanomira/ Gadget Girlz is an Australian-based group that encourages and supports girls and women to explore and get involved in STEAM — that's Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics. The group focuses on building leadership, confidence, communication, and technical skills through hands-on activities and community engagement.https://gadgetgirlz.com.au 

Australian Astronaut Eric Philips tells us what it is like to orbit the Earth!"After nearly four days on-orbit, Dragon and the Fram2 crew safely splashed down at 9:19 a.m. PT off the coast of Oceanside, California, completing the first human spaceflight mission to explore Earth from a polar orbit and fly over the Earth's polar regions. This was also Dragon's first West Coast recovery since 2019 and the first Dragon human spaceflight mission to splash down in the Pacific Ocean." - https://ericphilips.com

The Australian Lunar Experiment Promoting Horticulture (or ALEPH) mission, which will involve a number of firsts in space travel history, will place a carefully selected set of seeds and plants on the Moon. Once on the lunar surface, we aim to show plant growth within the first 3 days of landing. The motivation for such a mission comes from humanity's passion to explore and see life thrive in barren landscapes. We see the ALEPH payload as the first step towards our eventual goal of providing plants for food, medicine, oxygen production and general wellbeing for future astronauts living on the Moon and beyond. One Giant Leap Australia is part of this incredible consortium and is providing a free workshop for students to learn about this initiative at RMIT University.In this episode we learn more about Invertigro's incredible hydroponic system which will be used in this exciting mission.

In this episode, we speak to Jeff Xu from www.micropod.com.au about the ALEPH Mission: www.lunaria.one/aleph/ The Australian Lunar Experiment Promoting Horticulture (or ALEPH) mission, which will involve a number of firsts in space travel history, will place a carefully selected set of seeds and plants on the Moon.Once on the lunar surface, we aim to show plant growth within the first 3 days of landing. The motivation for such a mission comes from humanity's passion to explore and see life thrive in barren landscapes. We see the ALEPH payload as the first step towards our eventual goal of providing plants for food, medicine, oxygen production and general wellbeing for future astronauts living on the Moon and beyond.One Giant Leap Australia is part of this incredible consortium and is providing a free workshop for students to learn about this initiative. We are looking for 32 young space explorers between the ages of 11 to 14 to participate. This event will be held at the RMIT Bundoona Campus on the 10th and 11th of May 2025. This free one day workshop includes:Learning about careers in spaceTalking to space / engineering expertsALEPH Mission ChallengesTake home growing kits…..and much more! Applications are open now and close on the 24th of April at 10pm AEST Apply here(a button with a link- https://forms.gle/u9shPVwmwCj6N7EG7 ) 

Eric is the founder and head guide at Icetrek Expeditions. With a history rooted in professional adventuring, Eric, from Australia, brings to guiding decades of personal experiences skiing to both the North and South Poles and across every major icecap in the world. In early 2025 he is scheduled to be the first Astronaut to fly under the Australian flag with Space X!Visit Eric's website www.ericphilips.com

In this episode we speak with Communications and Media Professor, Brian Yecies about how creativity intersects with the space industry.

In this episode, we chat to Anne Bettens from www.denebspace.com.au about satellites. 

Internationally renowned Australian artists, Composer Joe Twist, Lyricist Jodie O'Regan and Berlin based Choir Conductor Christopher Bradley have joined forces to compose “Wattle Sky”, a 15 minute choral piece that celebrates Australia's national flower. The piece, in three movements, is partly inspired by the revolutionary OGL program that allows school students to study the germination of wattle seeds that have flown in space.The wattle seeds spent six months aboard the International Space Station before returning to Earth and being distributed to Australian schools. There, they are currently being monitored against Earth based seeds to see how they grow in comparison.Speaking recently on OGL's podcast, Jodie O' Regan said she was inspired to include the unique science experiment when writing the lyrics for the choir after seeing footage of the Dragon capsule returning the seeds to Earth. "When I told (Composer) Joe Twist that wattle seeds had travelled to space he asked me for some words directly from the mission, I therefore used some of the words from mission control for the piece”.Find out more;https://onegiantleapfoundation.com.au/podcast/https://seedsinspace.com.au/whtw/https://www.jodieoregan.com/https://joetwist.com/https://christopherbradley.eu/ and  https://tonraumfuenf10.de/

When One Giant Leap Australia Foundation (OGL) sent wattle seeds to the International Space Station, with the help of the Japanese (JAXA) and Australian Space Agencies, they had no idea one of the composers of the hit series “Bluey”, would be inspired to write about them.Internationally renowned Australian artists, Composer Joe Twist, Lyricist Jodie O'Regan and Berlin based Choir Conductor Christopher Bradley have joined forces to compose “Wattle Sky”, a 15 minute choral piece that celebrates Australia's national flower. The piece, in three movements, is partly inspired by the revolutionary OGL program that allows school students to study the germination of wattle seeds that have flown in space.Composer Joe Twist - @joetwistmusic facebook.com/joetwistmusicLyricist Jodie O'Regan - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064116035930Conductor Christopher Bradley - https://www.tonraumfuenf10.de What'll Happen to the Wattle prgram - https://seedsinspace.com.au/whtw/

One Giant Leap Australia Foundation, Hylmpulse and Yuri have teamed up to give Australian school students the opportunity to send their very own postcard to space on board a rocket to be launched from South Australia this month! The postcards will be launched as part of a payload on the inaugural launch of a HyImpulse rocket. European company, HyImpulse are due to launch the SR75 launch vehicle from Southern Launch's Koonibba Test Range on the 29 April 2024. See the Lauch here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l__EVXk0pw4 

The ELO2 Big Dipper Regolith Acquisition Challenge is your chance to contribute to the design of Australia's first lunar rover and win a share of $18,000! In this episode we talk to a winner from phase 1 and Education Outreach Coodinator, Lauren Fell from Lunar Outpost Oceania. Find out more at /www.elo2.au/big-dipper-challenge

The ELO₂ consortium (of which One Giant Leap Australia Foundation is part of) has created a challenge for young students to learn about lunar rovers and what they are used for in anticipation of Australia's first lunar rover – part of the Australian Space Agency's Moon to Mars Trailblazer Initiative.Landing an Australian rover on the lunar surface will highlight the kind of space and STEM endeavours that children can aspire to, creating a ‘where were you' moment that hasn't been seen since Australia played a crucial role in helping NASA bring TV images of the first Moonwalk to the world in 1969.ELO₂ Little Dipper Challenge invites children aged 5-12 years old to experiment with common materials found at home or school in a creative project about space. The mission is to build and test a scoop, like the one that will be on the Australian lunar rover, to collect soil from the Moon.FInd out more at; www.elo2.au

One Giant Leap Australia Foundation, the Australian Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are excited to announce the selection of an Australian student experiment to be conducted on the International Space Station (ISS). Shingo Nishimoto, a student studying Aerospace Engineering at The Australian National University, will have his experiment conducted on the ISS after entering the Asian Try Zero-G competition. https://onegiantleapfoundation.com.au/asian-try-zero-g/

In this episode, we chat to Jennie Anderson, Education Program Manager at the Space Foundation, about the recent Space Symposium in Colorado. Our very own Shannon McConnell also joins us to tell us about her experience at the event.To find out more about the Space Foundation visit; https://www.spacefoundation.orgYou can also learn more about the work of One Giant Leaps Austtralia Foundation at; https://onegiantleapfoundation.com.au

In this episode, we speak to Justin Thomas from DYW Dumfries&Galloway in Scotland. We learn about what is required to succeed in the workforce of the 21st Century.https://www.dywdg.co.ukTwitter @dyw_dgFacebook: DYW Dumfries and GallowayYoutube https://www.youtube.com/@dywdumfriesgallowaydywflix4373

It's time for an update on the International Space Station with Liam Kennedy from www.issabove.com - To order an "ISS Above" visit www.onegiantleapaustralia.com/iss-above/

We speak to some of the participants of the Australian International Airshow. For more visit; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwt4u4VOPjI

Something a little different in this episode, what if William Shakespeare wrote the film 'Aliens'? If you are in Adelaide during the Fringe Festival, you can find out!We talk to Actor and Director, Rob Lloyd about this re telling of a science fiction classic!https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/shakespeare-aliens-af2023

It was with immense sorrow and heartache we announced the sudden passing of Robert (Bob) Carpenter OAM, Co-Director of One Giant Leap Australia on Saturday 18 February 2023.This brief episode acknowledges his passing. Rest in Peace.

In this episode we are joined by Jeremy Repetto from Geospatial Intelligence to discuss satellites and remote sensing.On Instagram @geospatial_intelwww.geoint.com.auFollow Jeremy @jeremyrepetto

Christopher Mick joins us again to discuss his work as a space educator. Christopher is another key member of the One Giant Leap Australia Foundation USA Educator Advisory Board.Christopher Mick is the Executive Director for the STEAM educational nonprofit, Space St. Croix, which brings free Space-themed STEAM programming and teacher support materials to all Hudson, Wisconsin area public and private schools.https://onegiantleapfoundation.com.au/usa-educator-advisory-board/

Conitnuing with our discussions with our USA Educator Advisory Board, we speak to Pam Kraus. Pam is the Career Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator and STEM Consultant at Smoky Hill Education Service Center in Salina, Kansas. As CTE Coordinator Pam writes and administers the federal Perkins Grant for 42 rural Kansas districts in the Smoky Hill Carl Perkins Consortium.https://onegiantleapfoundation.com.au/usa-educator-advisory-board/

In this episode we speak to our friends on the One Giant Leap Australia Foundation USA Educator Advisory Board. We find out about their experiences as space educators over the years.Featuing; Shannon McConnell, Ronda McCarthy, Kellie Arenz & Laura Tomlin.https://onegiantleapfoundation.com.au/usa-educator-advisory-board/

In this episode, we talk to Kyoichi Arakane, Senior Engineer at JAXA: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. We learn about some of the amazing work coming out of JAXA as well as being treated to some original music from Kyoichi Arakane.NOTE: The opinions in this conversation represent interviewee and do not represent JAXA in any official capacity.To find more of Kyoichi Arakane's music, visit;Apple Music https://music.apple.com/jp/artist/kyo-arakane/1527323240Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/7JQUWujd6wgVyeaT2J04et?si=ze9aCF5TR1irQuJTZOeoAQ YouTube https://youtube.com/channel/UC5UHSjftmzw2dB3j01LDXuw Amazon Music https://music.amazon.co.jp/artists/B08FNVJ52T?ref=dm_sh_qPU6y5AQVCn39DvTh4eoXj0oB

In our final episode for 2022, we speak to Anna Shaw and Jennie Anderson from the Space Foundation in Colorado Springs about space education.To find out more about the Space Foundation visit www.spacefoundation.org

Now that the Artemis 1 mission is over, we chat to Christopher Mick (USA Education Advisor to One Giant Leap Australia Foundation) who gives us a first hand account of watching the Artemis 1 rocket launch.Christopher's accompanying photographs can be viewed at https://youtu.be/x907eLmwfLQChristopher's Artemis articles can be found at;https://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/news/moon-launch-offers-lessons-for-hudson-students/article_da96e22a-3387-11ed-b14f-bbaaaad169e2.htmlhttps://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/news/hudson-educator-watches-artemis-launch/article_19a95ed4-6a8d-11ed-bbe6-3b8a2a105203.html

One Giant Leap Australia Foundation Director Jackie Carpenter has announced a new series of regional programs for New South Wales. Announcing Aerospace Academy!Gain practical experience in building, testing, and launching rockets. Learn about space agriculture and what humans need to live in space. Engage with flight simulators as you explore aerodynamics. Learn how to safely operate drones. Find out about careers in the aviation and space sectors and MORE!These FREE whole day workshops come to you thanks to the support of the New South Wales Government and One Giant Leap Australia Foundation. Aerospace Academy begins on 3rd January, 2023. Join other like-minded students in these immersive programs and let your dreams take flight.‘Own your tomorrow'.

We speak to Lauren Fell from Lunaria One to find out about plans to grow plants ... on the Moon!

We look back at our recent Space Teams: Mission Oz event with teachers and students from western NSW.

In this episode Michael Davoren and Shannon McConnell chat with Michael Frawley from NASA JPL about all things space!

We talk to Duncan Challen from Sydney Science Park about our upcoming Mission Oz. Sydney Science Park is sponsoring students from Caroline Chisholm College to participate in our forthcoming virtual mission!Inspiring the next generation of women space explorers! Sydney Science Park (by Celestino) is proud to sponsor girls from Caroline Chisholm College in Western Sydney to participate in a unique global space mission challenge: Mission Oz together with One Giant Leap Australia Foundation. To celebrate World Space Week, young Western Sydney astronauts will embark on a six-day virtual space mission to broaden their technical knowledge and theorical understanding required to carry out a successful space mission! Getting ready to blast off! #CELESTINO #STEM #MISSIONOZ #ONEGIANTLEAPAUSTRALIA #NATIONALSCIENCEWEEK #SPACETEAMSMISSIONOZ #EDUCATION #SPACEEXPLORATION #SPACE #STEMSPACE #SYDNEYSCIENCEPARK #INSPIRINGKIDS #NEXTGENERATION #SPACETEAMSCHALLENGE #SPACECRAFT #SCIENCE #YOUNGEXPLORERS #MISSIONOZSTEMCHALLENGEhttps://www.celestino.net.au/developments/sydney-science-park/https://onegiantleapfoundation.com.au/mission-oz/

We speak with Liam Kennedy from www.issabove.com to find out the latest news from 409km above our heads.

We chat with Science teachers Brad Murphy and Murray Henstock about their students' experiences with the Space Teams Virtual platform.To find out more about the next mission, Mission Oz, visit www.onegiantleapfoundation.com.au/mission-oz/

We speak to team "Dream Rover", Australian representatives for the KIBO Robot Programming Challenge www.kiboaustralia.com.au

In this episode we are joined by Bruce Jackson from Air Informatics® to discuss some of the highlights of his incredible career PLUS we look ahead to the launch of Artemis 1.

Sovereign Launch capability is a phrase we hear a a lot of later. In this episode we take a look at developments in the UK with Derek Harris and Nickie Finnegan from www.skyrora.com

In this episode we find out about the STEM Discovery Centre in the UK with STEM educator Michelle Fearn. www.stemdiscoverycentre.co.uk

The James Webb Telescope has released some amazing images but what was it like for the Ancient Greek Astronomers? Christopher Matthew takes us back in time.

We cross to One Giant Leap Australia Director, Jackie Carpenter who is visiting the Farnborough Air Show in the UK.

In this episode, we explore the Australian Space Industry with James Brown, CEO of https://www.spaceindustry.com.au

Join us for an update on the International Space Station with Liam Kennedy.For more information visit www.issabove.com

In this episode we look back at the career of Dr Gordon Pike, retired Optus Rocket Scientist.

Today we find out about the he BIOTech Futures Challenge. Join challenge today! To find out more visit https://www.biotechfutures.org

Our final episode exploring Amanda Lee Falkenberg's Moons Symphony with very special guest, former NASA Astronaut Nicole Stott. For more information visit; www.moons-symphony.comFor more information about the Connecting Minds Project visit; https://onegiantleapaustralia.com/the-connecting-minds-project/"One Giant Leap Radio" is the property of One Giant Leap Australia Pty Ltd. The content of this podcast cannot be used by third parties without written permission.

The second part of our exploration of solar system's moons with international award winning composer Amanda Lee Falkenberg and former NASA JPL expert Shannon McConnell. Welcome to part two of the Moons Symphony.For more information, visit www.moons-symphony.comFor further reading, Amanda recommends "The Mission" by David Brown & "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert."One Giant Leap Radio" is the property of One Giant Leap Australia Pty Ltd. The content of this podcast cannot be used by third parties without written permission.

A very happy holidays to everyone, a very special Christmas treat today with an exploration of the moons of our solar system with Amanda Lee Falkenberg and the Moons Symphony. This is the first part of a three part series."One Giant Leap Radio" is the property of One Giant Leap Australia Pty Ltd. The content of this podcast cannot be used by third parties without written permission.

A special debrief on the recent incident in space that tested the emergency procedures of the International Space Station. Liam Kennedy from ISS Above takes us through what happened.

This week, we are once again joined by Ed Van Cise, Flight Director from NASA. Special thanks to NASA once again for making this episode possible.

We are back with a very special guest, NASA Flight Director Ed Van Cise. Over the next two episodes, Ed discusses his career, the ISS and the future of space exploration. Massive thanks and appreciation to NASA for their cooperation bringing this episode to you.

Lynn McDonald has been in the Space industry for 25 years and is currently the Azure Space Lead for Microsoft in Australia. Lynn has generously donated her time to be a mentor for students on our Virtual Space Mission. https://onegiantleapfoundation.com.au/events/one-giant-leap-australia-space-mission-june-july-2021/