Mission Control at Parliament House

Special opportunity to visit and participate in a program at Parliament House in Victoria.

Where will you work in the future? Down the road? Across the sea? Up in space? The space sector is set to triple in size by the year 2028 and will have a role in many diverse industries including agriculture, meteorology, precision mapping and health. What industries would it take to make Mars our home?

In this program, students will think critically about the skills and knowledge needed for a successful mission to Mars. After debating and voting on industries to send on the mission, in a way that mirrors Victoria’s parliamentary process, they will work collaboratively to complete a hands-on design challenge as they consider how to sustainably power operations, feed the population, and communicate across the far reaches of space.

Cost: $21 per student plus a $50 service fee per group or $11 per student, plus a $50 education service fee for schools within an ICSEA value of 1050 or below if the school is in a regional area.

Schools will be invoiced the total amount for all their participating students post program after securing tickets.

Key information:

• Suitable for levels 7-12

• Capacity for 50 students

• Duration is 3.75 hours

Dates & Schedule: 5 August, 2026 & 16 September, 2026

• 10:00: students arrive at Parliament House

• 10:00 - 11:15: module 1

• 11:15 - 11:45: break

• 11:45 - 1:00: module 2

• 1:00 -1:15: wrap-up

• 1:15: depart

Please Note: 

• Pre-visit information will be sent ahead of your visit. Student names will need to be collected ahead of their visit for visitor registration at Parliament House.

• We have limited funding available for low-SES (ICSEA <1050) and regional schools to access a discounted rate. Access funding is limited, so please note in your booking request form and our team will confirm if funding is available for your school to access this discounted rate.

• Further details including timings will be communicated via email.

Disclaimer:

• Dates may be subject to change if the Parliament changes sitting dates. Schools will be advised with as much notice as possible if this happens.

This program is a collaboration between Science Gallery Melbourne, Australian Space Agency and Parliament of Victoria.