Empowering 120,000+ Learners Through Plants4Space

P4S supports human survival in space through four key missions: developing nutritionally complete plant‑based foods; creating zero‑waste plants for controlled environments; innovating plant‑based construction materials and pharmaceuticals; and building a future‑ready workforce while leading a global space‑plant research community.

La Trobe is one of five Australian universities in the consortium, leading education and engagement through the Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and Food (LISAF).

Plants for Space Education and Engagement Manager Dr Frazer Thorpe says the aim is to develop a future‑ready workforce and society by engaging preschool, school, and university students, teachers, and the wider public.

“There is growing demand for agriculture, food, and space careers, as well as STEM‑powered thinking. We’re nurturing a STEM‑positive society with the knowledge, skills, and attitude to think critically and solve problems so humans can survive and thrive,” he says.

In the two years since launching in 2024, the team has visited schools, hosted museum events, and delivered a wide range of online and in‑person activities, engaging more than 200,000 people.

They share research stories to inspire students about the possibilities for their future careers.

“Our impact is measured by what participants gain from these engagements. We introduce ways of thinking that go beyond the classroom, while providing role models, knowledge, and opportunities to explore and discover - delivered in joyful and optimistic ways that build confidence,” Dr Thorpe says.

The team has delivered student career workshops, experimental labs, design sprints, model‑making sessions, challenges, and research presentations, connecting with students from Australia, India, Japan, and China. Students attending these activities reported being inspired to reconsider their career pathways.

“For us, that shows impact. It means we’re helping young people think about their futures and what might be possible,” Dr Thorpe adds.

The team has also reached international audiences through public panel discussions, presentations, and podcasts exploring the future of agritech and cutting‑edge space and agricultural science, engaging audiences across Australia, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.

To raise awareness of P4S research and support the development of current and future workforces, the La Trobe team has worked with more than 1,000 teachers across Australia. They have delivered hands‑on workshops and professional development programs including robot building, clinostat design, 3D printing, DNA technologies, and nutritional analysis, alongside STEM research kits and curriculum‑aligned resources.

During National Science Week in August 2025, P4S partnered with Scienceworks, the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, and the Museum of Australian Democracy in Canberra to reach more than 100,000 students across Australia and internationally through hands‑on science activities, STEM kits, storytelling, and a glimpse into the future of food in space.

The Plants4Space consortium is led by five Australian universities: Adelaide, Western Australia, La Trobe, Melbourne, and Flinders. It also includes transdisciplinary partners from academic institutions, space agencies (including NASA and the Australian Space Agency), government, agriculture and food manufacturing industries, and technology providers in the United States, France, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.