Plant the Moon Challenge - NASA Space Grant Regional Expansion Project
Educators are invited to join the Plant the Moon Challenge NASA Space Grant Regional Expansion Project! 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 or one of our partner Space Grants: Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia Puerto Rico.
Applications: Open September 1 – October 10
The Institute of Competition Science 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 Virginia Space Grant Consortium’s NASA Space Grant Regional Expansion Project, 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 and teams get additional support.
Virginia middle or high school teachers and organizations offering STEM educational programming at these grade levels.
Educators receive:
- state/jurisdiction-based support
- free lunar regolith simulant kits
- teacher stipends
- enhancement activities
- special experiential state and regional awards
- expanded educator professional development
The enhanced professional development for educators and curriculum extension activities will be integrated into the ongoing Plant the Moon Challenge. The project is expected to engage more than 13,000 students in PTMC over the next three years.
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