Giant leap of learning as civics meets space
2 March 2026
Katherine Bennell-Pegg’s historic recognition as the 2026 Australian of the Year has supercharged interest in space exploration. And in Victoria, that excitement is being channeled into something powerful: a hands-on program that helps students imagine themselves as part of humanity’s next giant leap.
To encourage more young people to show interest in STEM careers, a new interactive learning experience is giving them the chance to explore what a future in space might actually look like. Developed jointly by Science Gallery Melbourne at the University of Melbourne, Parliament of Victoria and the Australian Space Agency, the timing couldn’t be better.
Most people think ‘astronaut’ when they picture space careers. But today’s interplanetary ambitions need a far bigger crew. Engineers, energy experts, health professionals, farmers, transport planners—even entertainment specialists—will all play a crucial role in making other worlds liveable.
That’s where Mission Control comes in.
This dynamic program places students in the hot seat: they must decide which industries should be sent to Mars to make it as habitable as possible. Their challenge? Only 10 out of 12 proposed industries can be funded for the mission. Every choice comes with trade‑offs.
Is health more important than transport? What happens if agriculture is prioritised over energy? And is entertainment an indulgence—or essential for wellbeing on a distant, isolated planet?
The activity mirrors the real‑world pressures of lawmaking. Students experience what it’s like to pass a bill through parliament, debating complex ethical and practical issues—just as Victorian MPs do today.
With the global space industry expected to triple over the next decade, Mission Control gives students a practical glimpse of the challenges their generation may soon face. It blends civics and science into one immersive experience, challenging participants to think critically about the future they’ll help shape.
Usually based at Science Gallery Melbourne, Mission Control will make a special touchdown at Parliament House this August and September—bringing its interplanetary thinking even closer to the heart of Victoria’s civic life.
For young people dreaming big and adults eager to see the next generation rise to the challenge, Mission Control offers the perfect launchpad.