1. Space Mission - Growing Moss in Space
Marryatville High School

2. Marryatville High School
Marryatville High School is an innovative and exciting school offering a diverse curriculum in a learning environment that promotes academic excellence and supports all students in reaching their potential. The wide range of specialist programs including a Music Program, an International Program, a Special Interest Tennis Program and an extensive Co-curricular Program makes Marryatville High School a dynamic educational environment which helps to develop well-rounded and engaged students. Marryatville High School is accredited by the Council of International Schools.

3. STEM Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths
We have demonstrated the use of science, technology, engineering and maths in the following ways:
Science: (The study of the world around us. It is learned by observing and experimenting)
The use of science is demonstrated through the use of hydroponics uses, the biology behind the mosses and the use of photosynthesis.
Technology: (The practical application of science to commerce or industry)
In sending a capsule into space, we have to be aware of it being able to withstand the harsh environments in Space. This is when Technology comes into it. We had to chose what the capsule will be coated in with
Engineering: (The action of working artfully to bring something about)
We designed the capsule to be durable against the force of take off as well as the conditions in space. To accomplish this we followed the engineering design process. We used many different materials and ideas like Hydroponics and Polyethylene.
Maths: (The he study of numbers and dimensions)
We had to use maths as we needed to work out all the dimensions of the objects that we are putting inside the capsule. We had to measure everything and make sure it would fit in the size box we were given. The box is reasonably small for us to do the experiment so we really had to think about how we were going to arrange everything.

4. How this will be helpful to the society
If we successfully grow moss in space, it will be very useful to society as we could hopefully grow plant life on Mars and understand how the conditions of space affect plants and their health.
Our research will determine whether or not life in space will be a possibility. If we are able to grow the moss in the conditions of space then we will be able to expand living on planets like Mars and being able to grow plants there would be a huge contributor.

5. Engineering Design Process
Define a Problem
Our initial idea was to include soil in our capsule, however we discovered that this was an issue when we received our feedback sheet. With the loose particles in microgravity, we were told that the soil is not viable but an easy fix would be to use hydroponics. We decided to use perlite and vermiculite to help the plant grow. Although this was the main issue that we encountered, some other problems were:
The Aluminium needed to be strong yet light so it could withstand the altitude and harsh conditions.
We included Solar panels in the first model but we have been told that the space station can provide power which makes the designing of the box easier.
We are using a camera to keep track of the process and growth of the moss. We will ask Gordon Cable which type of camera will be most suitable.
We need to consider whether moss will be able to withstand the radiation and extreme temperatures in space, depending on which we choose to be the variable.
To allow for the controlled variable to only be temperature we must protect the capsule from radiation by surrounding it with polypropylene.

6. What type of moss?
The moss which we have chosen for the capsule will be Sphagnum. The reasoning behind this is that there is research showing its many uses. These uses include, a possible water supply, medicinal uses, its ability to be edible and its ease of purchase. Another reason we chose Sphagnum moss is because like most moss it is very abundant and can be grown almost about anywhere. Sphagnum is also great plant for hydroponics.Our research will determine whether or not life in space will be a possibility. If we are able to grow the moss in the conditions of space then we will be able expand living on planets like Mars and being able to grow plants there would be a huge contributor.

7. What are the uses of moss?
A source of a water supply
Can dress a wound
Is highly flammable
Is waterproof
Great insulator
Are edible
Can filter water
Has strong medicinal purposes

8. Environment
For us to be able to control and focus just on the extreme temperature adaptability, we must eliminate the other variables. To do so, we must seal the capsule with a vacuum seal. The air inside must be oxygen rich or the same as it is on earth to make it comparable to the test which will be done on earth.

9. Aluminium
6061 is a precipitation-hardened aluminium alloy. The two major alloying elements in the 6061 aluminium are magnesium and silicon. This metal is very strong and can withstand harsh weather and terrain aluminium is definitely a great choice for us to use for our space shuttle. This metal is already used in space conditions which assisted us in the finding of the material.

10. Hydroponics
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants in water. The water is rich in dissolved nutrients ensuring that the plants can grow. Hydroponics ensures that the plants are nurtured for without being planted in soil. The plant roots are suspended in the water which allows the chemical nutrients in the plant to dissolve in the water. We would enhance the use of vermiculite and perlite for this solution to work.

11. References
Merriam-webster.com. (2017). Definition of MATHEMATICS. [online] Avaliable at: webster.com/dictionary/mathematics {Accessed 15 Sep 2017}
En.wikipedia.org. (2017). Sphagnum. [online] Available at: [Accessed 14 Sep ].
Ecology - sphagnum - bryophyte Ecology - sphagnum - bryophyte. [ONLINE] Avaliable at [Accessed 20 September 2017].