It may seem out of this world, but by 2020 Australian students could be attending space school.

If your child dreams of becoming an astronaut or being involved with the likes of NASA or Virgin Galactic, Brenda van Rensburg may hold the key to making that dream a reality.

The Perth mum is working to convince Australia that ‘space’ is a subject that should be on the national school curriculum.

Why? To prepare the children of our future for whatever technological advances that come our way.

A former professional golfer, Brenda quit her sporting career to focus on something ‘more rewarding’.

“I enjoy golf but I can’t say I love it,” she told Yahoo7.

View photos Brenda van Rensburg with Chris Hadfield - The first Canadian to walk in space. More

“I remember saying when I was four years old to other kids that ‘I’m important and I’m going to change the world some day’. I didn’t think I’d change much through golf”.

She started to focus on developing a learning program for children with an interest in space travel and new technologies.

Encompassing space sciences, robotics, computer programing, engineering, mathematics and gaming; Brenda’s goal is to show children and their parents that ‘big picture’ goals are achievable.

With a background in science and education, she sought to find a way to make science and technology subjects more exciting for students.

“Physics is really important but it’s taught in a mundane way, I think it can be taught creatively and allow kids to go outside the realm and question the current laws,” she said.

“I think it’s healthy to challenge what we’ve learnt so far.”

Her way of teaching also aimed to get younger students involved in sciences.

She’s also had a bit of help on the way, earlier this year Brenda won the ‘space fan Lotto’ when she was invited to take a tour at NASA.

While on the trip she quickly realised Australia was light years behind America when it came to space education for kids.

View photos Brenda hopes to achieve better space education in Australia. Photo: Supplied More

“I realised something needed to be done in Australia, and fast… we are so far behind America it’s not funny,” she said.

American space camps are incredibly popular among students and their parents who have embraced the progressive learning style.



Inspired by the US, when Brenda returned to Perth she got to work on Spacetripreneurs, a space camp style program for Aussie kids aged 8-13 with hopes to engage our own future space leaders.

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