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 Rice. 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.
Virginia middle or high schoolteachers and organizations offering STEM educational programming at these grade levels.
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 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