Plant the Moon Challenge
Educators are invited to join the Plant the Moon Challenge through the Virginia Space Grant Consortium! The project builds on the Institute of Competition Sciences Plant the Moon Challenge by providing additional support to educators participating in the challenge through the VSGC.
The Institute of Competition Sciences Plant The Moon Challenge allows educators and their students to take a giant leap into lunar exploration by developing and conducting plant growth experiments with lunar soil simulant.
By joining the Plant the Moon Challenge through the Virginia Space Grant Consortium, students will engage in research that can assist NASA scientists in understanding how to use lunar soil to provide crops for future missions to the Moon. VSGC also covers the costs of the kits and materials and provides additional support.
Virginia middle or high school teachers and organizations offering STEM educational programming at these grade levels.
Educators receive:
- state-based support
- free lunar regolith simulant kits
- teacher stipends
- enhancement activities
- special experiential awards
- expanded educator professional development
The enhanced professional development for educators and curriculum extension activities are integrated into the ongoing Plant the Moon Challenge.
International Winners
International Best-in-Show, Middle School Division: Hatch Team 2 – Mean Greens from Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Rocky Mount, Virginia, led by Jennifer Hatch
International Best-in-Show, Middle School Division: The Moondog Guild from Berkeley Middle School in Williamsburg, Virginia, led by Ashley Montgomery
Virginia Best in Show, Middle School Division: Hatch Team 2 – Mean Greens from Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Rocky Mount, Virginia, led by Jennifer Hatch
State Winners
Best-in-Show Middle School:
Hatch Team 2 – Mean Greens from Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Rocky Mount, led by Jennifer Hatch
North Cross School Middle School from North Cross School in Roanoke, led by Shelly Basille
Hatch Team 1 – Moonshrums from Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Rocky Mount, led by Jennifer Hatch
Pulaski County Cougars from Pulaski County Middle School in Pulaski, led by Tina Winsett
High School – Evaluation of Results: Starship Purslane from Rock Ridge High School in Ashburn, led by Amy Goodyear
High School – Experimental Design: Lunar Loonies from Massanutten Regional Governor’s School for Environmental Science and Technology in Quicksburg, led by Russell Kohrs
High School – Growth: SHISHO Over the Moon from Rock Ridge High School in Ashburn, led by Amy Goodyear
High School – Most Innovative: Lunar Cavs from Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, led by Ashley Karunaratne
International Winners
Top FFA Team: Sigma Sprouts from Midlothian, Virginia, led by Colleen Irby
“Sigma Sprouts Final Report”
Overall Best-in-Show Middle School: Team Bio-Cosmos Crew from Oak Knoll Middle School in Mechanicsville, Virginia, led by Kara Zedaker
“Bio-Cosmos Crew Final Report”
High School Division, Best Experimental Design: Team 2 from Freedom High School in South Ridging, Virginia, led by Mike Thornton
“An Analysis of Azotobacter vinelandii and Its Effect on the Fertility of the Lunar Simulant Soil”
High School Division, Most Innovative Experiment: Aquatic Agriculturalists from Heritage High School in Leesburg, Virginia, led by Amy Goodyear
“How well will Water Lilies grow in lunar regolith?”
Regional Winners
Best Overall Middle School Team: Team Bio-Cosmos Crew from Oak Knoll Middle School in Ashland, Virginia, led by Kara Zedaker
“Bio-Cosmos Crew Final Report”
Best Overall High School Team: Giants on the Moon from Campus Educativo del Colegio María Auxiliadora in Carolina Puerto Rico, led by Tiffany Rohena
Team Giants on the Moon’s experiment focused on learning more about spinach and tomato plant growth in different soils mixed with lunar regolith.
“Comparative Study on the Use of Lunar Regolith Mixed with Different Types of Substrates and the Effect on the Growth of Spinach and Tomato Plants”
State Winners
Florida
Middle School Overall Best-in-Show:
6E from Assumption Catholic School in Jacksonville, led by Tina Amico
HT Joy Choys from Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne, led by Melissa Sleeper
HT Regolith Radishes from Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne, led by Melissa Sleeper
Spartans vs. Mars from St. Johns Country Day School in Orange Park, led by Jen Wagstaff
High School – Evaluation of Results: Lunar Leaf Legends from AMIkids Maritime Academy in Panama City, led by Jaime Dahlin
High School – Experimental Design: GBHS Team A (Radish) from Gulf Breeze High School in Gulf Breeze, led by Misty Meredith
High School – Growth: JCS Eagles from Jupiter Christian School in Jupiter, led by Tatiana Tibbs
High School – Innovation: GBHS Team B (Beans) from Gulf Breeze High School in Gulf Breeze, led by Misty Meredith
North Carolina
Middle School Overall Best-in-Show:
Artemis A.I. (AVID Intelligence) from Culbreth Middle School in Chapel Hill, led by Christine Sudzina Schut
Demeter’s Determined Planters from Culbreth Middle School in Chapel Hill, led by Christine Sudzina Schut
SNMS Bates 1 C/C from Southern Nash Middle School in Spring Hope, led by Kathryn Bates
SNMS Bathes 2 J/P from Southern Nash Middle School in Spring Hope, led by Kathryn Bates
High School – Evaluation of Results: Hunt’s Planters from JB Hunt High School in Wilson, led by Victoria Kirby
High School – Experimental Design: IECHS Cosmos from Innovation Early College High Schools in Greenville, led by Klara Higgins
High School – Growth: Spaced Out from Innovation Early College High Schools in Greenville, led by Klara Higgins
High School – Innovation: To Infinity and Bee-yond! from White Oak High School in Jacksonville, led by Brandon Dillman
Puerto Rico
Middle School Overall Best-in-Show:
Kalahni from Antonio Dominguez Nieves School in Caguas, led by Yaira Enid Ortiz Rivera
Club la ciencia es divertida from Club: La Ciencia es Divertida in Canovanas, led by Lorna Ortiz
Creative Moon Lab Botanists from Creative Homeschoolers Inc. in Carolina, led by Micheline Braffett
The Hibiscus Initiative from Cupeyville School in San Juan, led by Keishla Crespo
High School – Evaluation of Results: Lunar Roots from Esc. Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos in Ponce, led by Jonatan Plaza
High School – Experimental Design: Giants on the Moon from Campus Educativo del Colegio María Auxiliadora in Carolina, led by Tiffany Rohena
High School – Growth: Moonseed Pioneers, from SU Bayamoncito in Aguas Buenas, led by Darlene G. Huertas Velazquez
High School – Innovation: Biogrowth Lab from University Gardens in San Juan, led by Xavier Pagan
South Carolina
Middle School Overall Best-in-Show:
Wolverines P7-Astro’s from CE Williams South Middle School in Charleston, led by Julie Bamberg
Wolverines P7-Big Bang Theory from CE Williams South Middle School in Charleston, led by Julie Bamberg
Wolverines P9-Cassiopeia from CE Williams South Middle School in Charleston, led by Julie Bamberg
8th Grade Science 5th Period Team 1 from Hillcrest Middle School in Dalzell, led by Robert Easley
High School – Evaluation of Results: Academic Magnet HS in North Charleston led by Maria Desbrow
High School – Experimental Design: Southside HOSA 2 from Southside High School in Greenville, led by Faith DiAngelis
High School – Growth: CCHS Elites from Calhoun County High School in Saint Matthews, led by Charlene Lewis
High School – Innovation: EE: Lunar Landscapers from Academy for the Arts, Science and Technology in Myrtle Beach, led by Annie Johnson
Virginia
Middle School Overall Best-in-Show:
Eagle Elites from Auburn Middle School in Riner, led by Phillip Ashby
Team Bio-Cosmos Crew from Oak Knoll Middle School in Ashland, led by Kara Zedaker
Lunar Planters II from Immanuel Christian School in Springfield, led by Leslie Johnston
FMS Team 6 from Forest Middle School in Forest, led by Cindy Watson
High School – Evaluation of Results: Minty Moon from Heritage High School in Leesburg, led by Amy Goodyear
High School – Experimental Design: Team 2 from Freedom High School in Chantilly, led by Mike Thornton
High School – Growth: EVHS Team 4 Future Farmers of the Moon from Eastern View High School in Culpeper, led by Rachel Stuart
High School – Innovation: Aquatic Agriculturalists from Heritage High School in Leesburg, led by Amy Goodyear
West Virginia
Middle School Overall Best-in-Show:
Astro Alligators from Wheeling Country Day School in Wheeling, led by Britney Farris
The Sprout Scouts from Wheeling Country Day School in Wheeling, led by Britney Farris
Space Cadets Team 1 from Westwood Middle School in Morgantown, led by Lindsay Smalls
Fayetteville Smarties from Fayetteville PK-8 in Fayetteville, led by Jennifer Gills-Scott
High School – Evaluation of Results: Life on the Moon from Princeton Senior High School in Princeton, led by Jennifer McClanahan
High School – Experimental Design: Crater Cultivators from Princeton Senior High School in Princeton, led by Jennifer McClanahan
International Winners
Best Middle School in Experimental Design: Space Cadets from the Boy Scouts of America Troop 690 in Camuy, PR, led by José Solis
Best Middle School in Crop Growth: Power Rangers from Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne, FL, led by Melissa Sleeper
Best Middle School in Evaluation of Results: AVID Curiosity from Culbreth Middle School in Chapel Hill, NC, led by Sudzina Schut
Best Middle School in Innovative Experiment: Creative Moon Lab Botanists from Creative Homeschoolers Inc. in Mayaguez, PR, led by Micheline Braffett
Best High School in Experimental Design: Purslane Gang from Heritage High School in Leesburg, VA, led by Amy Goodyear
Best High School in Crop Growth: YAPPERS from Meadowbrook High School in North Chesterfield, VA, led by Belinda Henriques
Best High School in Evaluation of Results: Astrotigers from Wirt County High School in Elizabeth, WV, led by Callie Daugherty
Best High School in Innovative Experiment: Jupiter Space Monkeys from Dorado Academy in Dorado, PR, led by Veronica Ortiz
Regional Winners
Best Overall Middle School Team: AVID Curiosity from Culbreth Middle School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina led by Sudzina Schut
Best Overall High School Team: Tigers from Manuel Mendez Liciaga High School in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico, led by Brenda Rodriguez
State Winners
Florida
Evaluation of Results:
Middle School – Bok A’choy from Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne, led by Melissa Sleeper
High School – MCCS-High from Miami Community Charter Schools in Florida City, led by Wajida Qureshi
Growth:
Middle School – Power Rangers from Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne, led by Melissa Sleeper
High School – N/A
Experimental Design:
Middle School – Lunar Lettuces from Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne, led by Melissa Sleeper
High School – JILHS-SECME from the JILHS SECME Club in Greenacres, led by Kimberly Crumpler
Innovation:
Middle School – Spartans from Storm Grove Middle School in Vero Beach, led by Joan Martinello
High School – N/A
North Carolina
Evaluation of Results:
Middle School – AVID Curiosity from Culbreth Middle School in Chapel Hill, led by Sudzine Schut
High School – Moon Cheese from Innovation Early College High School in Greenville, led by Klara Higgins
Growth:
Middle School – Luna Bean from Springfield Middle School in Lucama, led by Victoria Barnes
High School – Astronomy Agents from Innovation Early College High School in Greenville, led by Klara Higgins
Experimental Design:
Middle School – AVID Astronauts from Culbreth Middle School in Chapel Hill, led by Sudzina Schut
High School – Team MWEZI from Innovation Early College High School in Greenville, led by Klara Higgins
Innovation:
Middle School – Team 1 from Martin Millennium Academy in Tarboro, led by Cherelle Sanders
High School – Lunar Landscapers from the Innovation Early College High School in Greenville, led by Klara Higgins
South Carolina
Evaluation of Results:
Middle School – Santa Squashers from Tall Pines STEM Academy in Aiken, led by Stephany Griffin
High School – Space Botanists B (Interlinked) from the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics in Hartsville, led by Jennifer Brown
Growth:
Middle School – 4 Girls and a Guy from the Tall Pines STEM Academy in Aiken, led by Stephany Griffin
High School – Astro-Pots from the Academy for Arts, Science, and Technology in Myrtle Beach, led by Annie Johnson
Experimental Design:
Middle School – Shooting Stars from Tall Pines STEM Academy in Aiken, led by Stephany Griffin
High School – Growthmaxxers from the Academy for the Arts, Science, and Technology in Myrtle Beach, led by Katherine Thompson
Innovation:
Middle School – Pink Astronauts from Tall Pines Academy in Aiken, led by Stephany Griffin
High School – Space Botanists A (Space Consortium for Analyzing Waste) from the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics in Hartsville, led by Jennifer Brown
Puerto Rico
Evaluation of Results:
Middle School – Eagles Nest from the Boy Scouts of America Troop 690 in Camuy led by José Solis
High School – Tigers from Manuel Mendez Liciaga High School in San Sebastian, led by Brenda Rodriguez
Growth:
Middle School – Venus (3, 2, 1…Plant Launchers) from Dorado Academy in Dorado, led by Veronica Ortiz
High School – CLUB SIMT from Escuela con Causa Rosalina Caraballo in Catano, led by Keishla Crespo
Experimental Design:
Middle School – Space Cadets from the Boy Scouts of America Troop 690 in Camuy, led by José Solis
High School – Club Live – Alpha Team from Colegio Congregación Mita in San Juan, led by Karen Fernández
Innovation:
Middle School – Creative Moon Lab Botanists from Creative Homeschoolers Inc. in Mayaguez, led by Micheline Braffett
High School – Jupiter (Space Monkeys) from Dorado Academy in Dorado, led by Veronica Ortiz
Virginia
Evaluation of Results:
Middle School – Team Astrogardeners from Immanuel Christian School in Springfield, led by Leslie Johnston
High School – Moonshrooms from Freeman High School in Richmond, led by Orien Altman
Growth:
Middle School – Blue Shark Scientists from Oak Knoll Middle School in Mechanicsville, led by Kara Zedaker
High School – YAPPERS from Meadowbrook High School in North Chesterfield, led by Belinda Henriques
Experimental Design:
Middle School – SJNA Knights from St. John Neumann Academy in Blacksburg, led by Audrey Phillips
High School – Purslane Gang from Heritage High School in Leesburg, led by Amy Goodyear
Innovation:
Middle School – Team Lunar Planters from Immanuel Christian School in Springfield, led by Leslie Johnston
High School – Lunar Legion from Eastern View High School in Culpepper, led by Rachel Stuart
West Virginia
Evaluation of Results:
Middle School – WCD Plants the Moon from Wheeling Country Day in Wheeling, led by Britney Farris
High School – WCHS from Wirt County High School in Elizabeth, led by Callie Daugherty
Growth:
Middle School – JackBots1 from Moorefield Middle School in Moorefield, led by Alicen Adkins
High School – Christmas Cactus from Pike View High School in Princeton, led by Peggy Moore
Experimental Design:
Middle School – JackBots2 from Moorefield Middle School in Moorefield, led by Alicen Adkins
High School – Power Puff Planters from Princeton Senior High in Princeton, led by Carol Whitteker
Innovation:
Middle School – The Moon Monkeys from Westwood Middle School in Morgantown, led by Lindsay Smalls
High School – The Olive Garden from Pike View High School in Princeton, led by Peggy Moore
Regional Winners
Best Overall Middle School Team: “Manassas Park Middle” from Manassas Park Middle School in Manassas Park, Virginia led by Robyn Weatherholtz
Best Overall High School Team: “Aerospace 2: POTATO” from the Academy of Arts, Science, and Technology in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina led by Katie Thompson
State Winners
Florida
Evaluation of Results:
Middle School – SGMS-Martinelli8 from Storm Grove Middle School in Vero Beach, led by Joan Martinelli
High School – N/A
Growth:
Middle School – SGMS RAD Force from Storm Grove Middle School in Vero Beach, led by Melissa Sleeper
High School – Black Panthers from Black Home Schoolers of Central Florida in Deltona, led by Rasheeda Denning
Experimental Design:
Middle School – Walton Warrior 2 from Walton Middle School, led by Greer Harvell
High School – BAM Team 1 from the Biology and Medicine Club at Lyman High School in Longwood, led by Suzanne Davis
Innovation:
Middle School – SGMS RAD Force from Storm Grove Middle School in Vero Beach, led by Melissa Sleeper
High School – N/A
North Carolina
Evaluation of Results:
Middle School – Springfield Middle 4 from Springfield Middle School in Wilson, led by Haley Ward
High School – N/A
Growth:
Middle School – The Veggie Planters from Speight Middle School in Wilson, led by Kathryn Thomas
High School – N/A
Experimental Design:
Middle School – Springfield Middle 5 from Springfield Middle School, led by Haley Ward
High School – Moon Mycologists from Innovation Early College High School in Greenville, led by Klara Higgins
Innovation:
Middle School – The Squad from Speight Middle School in Wilson, led by Kathryn Thomas
High School – The Growing GOATS from Innovation Early College High School in Greenville, led by Klara Higgin
South Carolina
Evaluation of Results:
Middle School – Team Liftoff! From Daniel Island School in Charleston, led by Marsha Nea
High School – Aerospace 1: Aurum Piscis from the Academy of Arts, Science, and Technology in Myrtle Beach, led by Katie Thompson
Growth:
Middle School – Gardeners of the Galaxy Vol. 2 from Orangeburg Christian Academy in Orangeburg, led by Edward Howell
High School – CCSMS Mission Group 3 from Charleston Charter School for Math and Science in Charleston, led by Jandi Withrow
Experimental Design:
Middle School – Holy City Spacemen from Daniel Island School in Charleston, led by Marsha Neal
High School – Aerospace 2: POTATO from the Academy of the Arts, Science, and Technology in Myrtle Beach, led by Katie Thompson
Innovation:
Middle School – Big Bang Benjamins from Tall Pines Academy in Aiken, led by Stephany Griffin
High School – Beach Kois from the Academy of the Arts, Science, and Technology in Myrtle Beach, led by Annie Johnson
Puerto Rico
Evaluation of Results:
Middle School – Astrobiology Makers from S.U. Bayamoncito School in Aguas Buenas, led by Darlene Huertas
High School – Altalune from José Emilio Lugo School in Adjuntas, led by Maria Vanessa González
Growth:
Middle School – Alpha Midori from Instituto Estudiantes Dotados in San Juan, led by Héctor Rivera
High School – MML 2 from Manuel Méndez Liciaga School in San Sebastián, led by Brenda Rodriguez
Experimental Design:
Middle School – Seminatrici Spaziali from Hemeterio Colón y Warens School in Ponce, led by Del Castro
High School – Caribbean Moonwalkers from Juan Suárez Pelegrina School in Aguadilla, led by Alexandra Ortega
Innovation:
Middle School – Team 8-1 from the Juan B. Soto School in Aguada, led by Luis Lugo
High School – Eagles Fly High from Wesleyan Academy in Guaynabo, led by Sofia Vilá
Virginia
Evaluation of Results:
Middle School – Manassas Park Middle from Manassas Park Middle School in Manassas Park, led by Robyn Weatherholtz
High School – Pea Patrollers from Heritage High School in Leesburg, led by Amy Goodyear
Growth:
Middle School – Forest Middle School Cavaliers #4 from Forest Middle School in Forest, led by Cindy Watson
High School – Space Rangers from Tuscarora High School in Leesburg, led by Marina Whaley
Experimental Design:
Middle School – Cougars 4 from Pulaski Middle School, led by Tina Winesett
High School – Achillea 11 from Eastern View High School in Culpepper, led by Rachel Stewart
Innovation:
Middle School – Cougars 1 from Pulaski County Middle School in Pulaski, led by Tina Winesett
High School – Green Moon from Arlington Tech in Arlington, led by Faith Stanley
West Virginia
Evaluation of Results:
Middle School – Eighth Grade from East Fairmont Middle School in East Fairmount, led by Samantha Copthorne
High School – Gernips from Princeton High School in Princeton, led by Carol Whitteker
Growth:
Middle School – Wildcat Green Team from Wheeling Middle School in Wheeling, led by Jennifer Craig
High School – RMJC Botany Team from Ronald Mulholland Juvenile Center in Wheeling, led by Jane Neuenschwander
Experimental Design:
Middle School – Team Demeter from Princeton Middle School in Princeton, led by Christina Lester
High School – Princeton AP Bio 2 from Princeton High School, led by Jennifer McClanahan
Innovation:
Middle School – Oopsie Daisies from East Fairmount Middle School in Fairmont, led by Samantha Copthorne
High School – Team Laika from Pike View High School in Princeton, led by Teresa Barton
“Student Teams Head to Richmond for ‘Plant the Moon’ Challenge,” Neesey Payne, WDBJ7
“How do you feed people on the moon? Hanover students seek answers,”Rob Cardwell, WTVR6
“Astronaut On Space Station To Speak With Loudoun High Schoolers,” Liam Griffin, Patch.com
“Plant the Moon Challenge,” CCPS on the Go
“Arcadia High School Competes in International STEM Competition,” Shore Daily News
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