Space Brain Hack
Our youth are the scientists, explorers and problem solvers of tomorrow, and we want them to help shape Canada's space program!
Through this initiative, young people will be presented with open-ended problems and questions about Gateway and key space exploration themes to get them thinking about solutions, innovations and inventions for the future. The goal is to show youth the role they could play in exciting space missions by studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and choosing STEM career paths.
The - Brain Hack
Third Brain Hack
The theme
For over 60 years, Canadian experts have been using satellites to monitor our environment from space. Canada's vast and changing landscape, including its cities, forests, coasts, and climate, require systematic monitoring and analysis, and needs for high-quality satellite data are constantly increasing. Weather forecasting, transportation planning, emissions reduction, climate change adaptation, emergency management response and recovery, public health monitoring, freshwater management, ocean protection, and food production are all examples of applications that are obtained more effectively from satellite data. Satellite missions also have environmental impacts – reducing those impacts is the theme of this year's Space Brain Hack.
The challenge
You and your teammates are part of an international effort to reduce the ecological footprint of satellite missions. Ensure these essential tools for climate monitoring are responsibly and sustainably designed, made and operated by finding ways to "green" one phase of a mission's life cycle.
Resources
The - Brain Hack
Second Brain Hack
Congratulations to the winners of our – Space Brain Hack!
The theme
Canada and the global space community are preparing for the Artemis and Gateway missions that will take humans back to the Moon and later on to Mars. With these ambitious goals come changes to space missions that will require new approaches for producing fresh, nutritious food for the astronauts, which is the theme of this year's Space Brain Hack.
The challenge
You are a future lunar astronaut on a one-year mission on the Moon. Design a food production system that creates fresh food for you and your fellow crewmates, full of flavour and nutrients, with the least possible waste. Keep in mind the constraints presented to you and generate enough fresh food to supplement the packaged food for a crew of four adults.
Resources
- - Educator guide (PDF, 1.65 MB)
- Toolkit for educators and youth – Food production on the Moon & remote areas
- - Presentation to students (PowerPoint, 13.55 MB)
- - Student worksheet (grade 6 to 8) (PDF, 2.81 MB)
- - Student worksheet (grade 9 to 12) (PDF, 2.81 MB)
- Terms and conditions
- Frequently asked questions - Space Brain Hack
The 2022–2023 Brain Hack
First Space Brain Hack
Congratulations to the winners of our first Space Brain Hack!
The theme
Canada and the global space community are preparing for the Artemis and Gateway missions that will bring humans back to the Moon and later on to Mars. With these ambitious goals come changes to space missions that will require new approaches to maintaining astronaut mental health and wellness, which is the theme of this year's Space Brain Hack.
The challenge
How can astronauts maintain their mental health and well-being on long-duration journeys, potentially deeper into space? Keeping in mind constraints presented, young participants are invited to imagine a solution for one or more astronauts that will:
- provide them with sensory simulation and a virtual escape from their work and stressful environment; or
- help them maintain connection with family and friends and with the home planet.
Resources
- Educator guide (PDF, 1.6 MB)
- Toolkit on mental health in space and isolation
- Presentation to students (PowerPoint, 21.6 MB)
- Student worksheet (grade 6 to 8) (PDF, 8.8 MB)
- Student worksheet (grade 9 to 12) (PDF, 10.2 MB)
- Terms and conditions
- Frequently asked questions - Space Brain Hack
- [Video] Webinar on the Space Brain Hack -
Who can participate
Youth in grades 6 to 8 and grades 9 to 12 can participate. The activity can be held in schools, youth organizations, science centres and museums across Canada, or at home.
The Space Brain Hack is a challenge that will take place between October and February every school year and a different theme will be explored each time. There are prizes to win! (Credit: Canadian Space Agency, NASA)
How to participate
Educators or parents can submit the solution imagined by their young people by using the online submission form. Be sure to read the contest's Terms and conditions before submitting.
Contest details
All details, including how to submit an idea, are set out in the Terms and conditions and the - Educator guide (PDF, 1.23 MB).
Prizes
Participants are encouraged to work in teams, but individual submissions are also accepted. Winners will be chosen for each category, namely grades 6 to 8 and grades 9 to 12, using the assessment criteria. The following prizes will be given per category:
- The top projects will be showcased on the CSA website.
- The top three (3) winners will take part in a virtual work session with CSA experts where they will present their solution to them and to the other winners to receive feedback on their idea.
- The grand prize winner will win a virtual visit from a CSA speaker or astronaut for their class, group or school (or family and friends in the case of individual submissions made outside of a school or organization setting).