Out of this world
How it all started
In 2020, students from Rostrevor College were invited by the Australian Space Agency and Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency to be part of an exciting program to grow wattle seed that have spent 7 months on the International Space Station.
The Mission
The seeds were collected in Victoria, sent to space on 7 December 2020 and returned in July 2021. The One Giant Leap Foundation, in coordination with the schools, distributed the 'spaced out' seeds as well as six seeds from the same plant that didn't go to space, across Australia.
Scientific Research
Over a period of two years, the students recorded data on germination, seed and plant growth, including how long each seed took to germinate and how many leaves each plant had.
The space seeds germinated quicker than the Earth seeds but were less vigorous. To date, only two plants survived.
Fast forward to October 2024
Staff at the Barossa Bushgardens were contacted by Science Lab Manager, Natasha Edwards, from Rostrevor College, who has family in the Barossa, and were offered one of the two remaining plants. Of course, we couldn't say no!
Growing On
The Acacia pycnantha (Golden Wattle) has found a new home in our Sensory Garden, where visitors can admire it and its long journey from space to Bushgardens.