A team of high school students from Las Cruces, New Mexico, has won a regional science competition with a unique proposal: sending sea cucumbers to the International Space Station (ISS). The project aims to study the animals' regenerative abilities in microgravity, which could have significant implications for long-duration space travel.
The winning team, named Sunny Side Up, developed their experiment during the Go For Launch! event held in Las Cruces on September 19-20. Their design will now advance to a national competition, with the ultimate prize being a launch to the ISS.
Key Takeaways
- A team of four Las Cruces students won a local Go For Launch! space science competition.
- Their proposed experiment involves studying sea cucumber regeneration and potential as a food source in space.
- The project now competes nationally for an opportunity to be sent to the International Space Station.
- The event was organized by Higher Orbits and featured mentorship from a former NASA astronaut and mission controller.
The Innovative Sea Cucumber Proposal
The student team, Sunny Side Up, consists of four members from across the Las Cruces Public Schools district. The students are Alanalisa Baca and Angela Perez from Vista PEAK Exploratory, Audrey Smith from White Sands Middle School, and Aly Sylis Vasquez from Organ Mountain High School.
Their award-winning concept focuses on the remarkable biological properties of sea cucumbers. These marine animals are known for their ability to regenerate damaged or lost body parts. The students proposed an experiment to observe how this regenerative process is affected by the microgravity environment of space.
Why Study Regeneration in Space?
Understanding how cellular regeneration works without the full influence of gravity could provide valuable insights for human health. Researchers are interested in how tissues heal and regrow in space, which is critical for astronaut health on long missions, such as a journey to Mars. The findings could potentially lead to new medical treatments on Earth.
In addition to the scientific study of regeneration, the team's proposal also included exploring sea cucumbers as a potential sustainable food source for astronauts. Finding ways to produce nutritious food during extended space missions is a major challenge for space agencies like NASA.
A Hands-On Space Science Competition
The competition was part of the Go For Launch! program, an initiative created by the nonprofit organization Higher Orbits. The event took place at the Challenger Learning Center of Las Cruces, bringing together students from grades 8 through 12 for an intensive two-day workshop.
Participants were organized into teams and challenged to design a viable experiment that could be conducted aboard the International Space Station. The program is designed to promote interest and skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM).
"Programs like Go For Launch! give our local Las Cruces students hands-on experiences that turn curiosity into real-world innovation," said Dr. Stephanie Hofacket, Director of Teaching and Learning, K-12 STEM for Las Cruces Public Schools. "We look forward to future events with Michelle and her team."
This was the first time Higher Orbits has held an event in New Mexico, marking a significant opportunity for local students to engage directly with professionals from the space industry.
Mentorship from NASA Veterans
A key component of the Go For Launch! program is direct interaction with experienced space professionals. The Las Cruces students were mentored by Higher Orbits CEO Michelle Lucas and retired NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence.
Michelle Lucas has a decade of experience at NASA, where she worked in Mission Control and as an astronaut trainer specializing in ISS systems. Her organization, Higher Orbits, was founded to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Astronaut Wendy Lawrence
Wendy Lawrence is a veteran of four space shuttle missions, logging over 1,225 hours in space. A retired U.S. Navy Captain and helicopter pilot, she flew on missions STS-67, STS-86, STS-91, and STS-114, which was the first "Return to Flight" mission after the Columbia disaster.
Throughout the two-day event, Lucas and Lawrence worked closely with the students, providing guidance on experimental design, the challenges of microgravity research, and the realities of spaceflight. This direct mentorship provides an invaluable layer to the educational experience, connecting classroom concepts with real-world application.
The Road to the International Space Station
With their victory in the Las Cruces event, team Sunny Side Up's sea cucumber experiment has entered the next phase of the competition. Their design will be evaluated alongside winners from other Go For Launch! events held across the country.
The final selection for the overall winner of the series is expected to be announced at the beginning of next year. The winning experiment will be built, tested, and eventually launched to the International Space Station to be conducted by astronauts in orbit.
Following the student competition, Lucas and Lawrence also contributed to the local community's engagement with space exploration. They appeared as guest speakers at Spaceport America's Open House, sharing their personal experiences at NASA and discussing the importance of STEAM outreach programs.
Expanding Opportunities in New Mexico
The success of the Las Cruces event is part of a broader push by Higher Orbits to engage students in New Mexico. The organization has already scheduled its next event in the state.
In October, Higher Orbits will visit Albuquerque, where another group of students will have the same opportunity to design a space experiment. That event will feature NASA astronaut Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, providing another chance for young aspiring scientists to learn from someone with firsthand spaceflight experience.
These programs aim to build a pipeline of talent and enthusiasm for the aerospace industry, which has a growing presence in New Mexico with facilities like Spaceport America.