The Australian Virtual Astronaut (AVA) Challenge is an innovative STEM initiative designed to engage high school students in solving real-world space-related challenges. Participants collaborate to create innovative solutions for scenarios such as Earth observation, robotics, growing food in space, and sustainable lunar habitats. Emphasizing critical thinking, teamwork, and engineering design principles, the program connects students with industry experts and provides hands-on learning opportunities. Partnering with the New South Wales (NSW) Department of Education, the AVA Challenge runs nationally across Australia, targeting final-year high school students. In 2025, the program will expand to include schools in the United States. For more details about the challenge, visit the AVA Challenge website.