National Lab Research Award (NLRA 2022-7)

Literacy is a foundational building block to learning. The pandemic’s impact on primary grade reading comprehension has been severe – especially to underserved communities. With grant funding from the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), Magnitude is publishing a reading workbook/coloring book to coincide with our astrobotany missions.

Designed for 2-4 grade students, the bilingual english-spanish work follows an astronaut rabbit (conejo) that needs help producing food during his deep space mission that goes awry. Publication and release of the printed work is planned for September 2023. Digital copies will be available for free, along with selected astrobotany curriculum.

Written by Javier Montiel with illustrations by Valeria Rodriguez.

Powerhouse Museum: Future Space

Is a three year project for the new Powerhouse Museum in Parramatta. Through the Lang Walker Family Academy Powerhouse: Future Space Connects 6 western Sydney schools to the Powerhouse-1 mission. 

Powerhouse-1 is a student-led initiative to develop a research project that is sent to the International Space Station to spend approximately 30-days in microgravity before returning to Earth. Scheduled mission launch is aboard the SpaceX-30 resupply mission currently scheduled for February 2024. Partners in support of our work with the Powerhouse includes Space Tango, Fizzics Education, and NSW Department of Education’s STEM Industry School Partnerships program.

United Nations – Opportunities for Youth in Africa

Through a collaboration between the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Magnitude has brought the study of plants from Low Earth Orbit to students across the countries of Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Zambia. Investigations focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development goals as it applies to precision agriculture technologies and entrepreneurial agribusiness. The program continues with an emphasis on measured impact. SensXAfrica is a key partner with us in support of this UN project.

Lodi Unified School District

Lodi is one of our oldest education partners. Based in the Central Valley of California, the District serves approximately 30,000 K-12 students. their proximity to our offices in the San Francisco Bay Area has enabled deep engagement over the years. Projects have included simulated satellites launched in High Power Rockets, and High Altitude Balloons; small mid-altitude balloons where some have traveled nearly around the world; certifications in Amateur Radio and Jr. HPR certifications in rocketry. 

Lodi was the first district to run ExoLab in 2017. Several teachers from the district have been on all 10 missions!