Markham, Mississauga, Abbotsford, and Kanata Students Win National Space Competition

Students from Markham, Mississauga, Abbotsford, and Kanata have won the third season of the Lunar Rover Research Challenge, a national space competition offered by Let’s Talk Science, Canadensys Aerospace Corporation and Avalon Space, with support from the Canadian Space Agency. Over 16,000 youth across Canada participated in the national competition overall. 

Winners of the competition have the opportunity to remotely control a Canadensys lunar rover in a Moon-like environment, allowing them to interact with technology that will be part of the upcoming Artemis space missions. The classes will complete a mission simulation by working as a team to drive the rover and seek out ice deposits in a mock lunar landscape. 

Canadensys designed the rovers controlled by the winning teams. They received a contract in November 2022 from the Canadian Space Agency to build Canada’s first lunar rover to be sent to the Moon no earlier than 2026. 

The Lunar Rover Research Challenge allowed students to collaborate and develop a mission for lunar exploration. A panel of expert judges evaluated the submissions and determined the winners. 

The following schools won the Lunar Rover Research Challenge: 

• Markham District High School, Markham, Ontario - Grade 9 

• Lisgar Middle School, Mississauga, Ontario - Grade 6 

• St. John Brebeuf Regional Secondary School, Abbotsford, British Columbia - Grade 8 

• A. Y. Jackson Secondary School, Kanata, Ontario - Grade 9 

Following this competition, educators can access materials for free (including lessons and worksheets) from the Lunar Rover Research Challenge by going to letstalkscience.ca/lr. 

These lessons are geared toward youth aged 11-14 (grades 6-9). They explore Canada’s role in the upcoming moon mission and potential space careers for students while fitting within each of the provincial curriculum standards. Interested parties are encouraged to subscribe to the insider mailing list. 

The lunar rover driven by students will not be the exact model sent to the moon. 

This project is made possible through funding provided by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). 

Quotes 

“Canada’s upcoming moon mission represents a once-in-a-generation educational opportunity. The excitement of the Artemis II mission helps educators engage youth with STEM, allowing them to develop the vital STEM skills needed to thrive in our ever-changing world. We are excited to see youth taking their first steps to become part of this thrilling chapter of history through the Lunar Rover Research Challenge.” 

Dr. Bonnie Schmidt, President of Let’s Talk Science. 

“Congratulations to this year's Lunar Rover Research Challenge winners. We are thrilled to partner with the innovative team at Let’s Talk Science to do our part in sharing this exciting next chapter of space activities with future generations of Canadian science and engineering leaders." 

Frank Teti, General Manager, Canadensys Aerospace Corp. 

"Congratulations to the winners, and a huge well done to all of the teachers and students who participated in this latest round of the Lunar Rover Research Challenge. So much effort and creativity went into all of the submissions – it’s wonderful to see more schools begin their engagement with the lunar program and learn just how much opportunity lies ahead for them in this next chapter of space exploration. What a time for them!  

The next two months alone will see more Canadian technology fly to the Moon, build activities continue on Canada’s first-ever lunar rover, and preparations continue for Canada’s first cadre of lunar astronauts. But beyond the nuts, bolts, and lunar training manuals, the bigger story is just how many paths everyone will have to be able to be part of this new, open commercial space era. This is but the beginning, and it is a pleasure to work with Let’s Talk Science on bringing the adventure to life for students and their families. Lastly, a big thank you to CSA for their vision in supporting initiatives like this, which ensure we as a nation fully capitalize on the massive economic potential available from every dollar of space investment, which is ultimately our investment in the future”. 

Dr. Nadeem Ghafoor, CEO of Avalon Space. 

Fast facts 

• The competition is offered at no cost in both French and English; approximately 25 per cent of the participants were French speaking. 

• This experience was designed around five lessons, with youth learning about Canada’s role in space, planning their rover mission and exploring careers in the space sector. 

• Participants this season are from nice provinces plus the Northwest Territories. 

About Let’s Talk Science 

Let’s Talk Science – a leading partner in Canadian education – is a national charitable organization committed to inspiring and empowering children and youth of all ages in Canada to develop the skills they need to participate and thrive in an ever-changing world. To accomplish this, Let’s Talk Science offers a comprehensive suite of STEM-based programs to support youth, educators, and volunteers across Canada. For more information about Let's Talk Science, visit letstalkscience.ca. 

About Canadensys Aerospace Corporation 

Canadensys Aerospace Corporation is one of Canada’s most innovative space systems companies servicing customers around the world. We blend our advanced space hardware capabilities with smart, ruggedized designs to develop unique solutions for planetary, orbital and terrestrial environments based on modern, commercial business approaches to space program and mission development. 

About Avalon Space 

Avalon Space Inc. is a Toronto-based space company dedicated to broadening access to and participation in the exploration and development of space. Avalon works with actors across the space exploration ecosystem, from mission developers to lunar landers & rover teams to future human missions, to help build a more sustainable, inclusive, and commercially scalable path as humanity reaches out beyond Earth orbit. 

About the Canadian Space Agency 

The Canadian Space Agency promotes the peaceful use and development of space, advances the knowledge of space through science and ensures that space science and technology provide social and economic benefits for Canadians. For more information, visit the CSA’s website.