Wallaroo Primary School is thrilled to be partnering with the Astronomical Society of South Australia (ASSA) for a unique and immersive science experience: a school sleep-out under the stars!

As part of our commitment to delivering rich, hands-on learning in alignment with the Earth and Space Sciences strand of the Australian Curriculum, students across all year levels will have the opportunity to engage in real-world astronomical observation. With the expert guidance of ASSA members, students will explore celestial objects through telescopes and learn about the wonders of our universe — all from their school grounds!

This special event also aims to respectfully embed First Nations perspectives, recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the world’s first astronomers. We are working to secure a First Nations guest speaker to share traditional knowledge of the night sky, including Dreaming stories and seasonal star navigation, enriching our understanding of both science and culture.

Originally scheduled for Science Week, the event has been postponed to Term 4 due to weather conditions. By moving the experience into Spring, we hope to enjoy clearer skies, warmer nights, and ensure a more comfortable and meaningful experience for all participants.

This project has been made possible thanks to generous Science Week grant funding, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to bring science to life for our students in such an inspiring and memorable way.