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 听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 鈥 November 1, 2025
The 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 麻豆村’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.听
Virginia middle or high school teachers and organizations offering 麻豆村 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
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听
“Bio-Cosmos Crew Final Report”
Best Overall High School Team: Giants on the Moon from Campus Educativo del Colegio Mar铆a 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 Mar铆a 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
听
International Winners
Best Middle School in Experimental Design:
Best Middle School in Crop Growth:
Best Middle School in Evaluation of Results:
Best Middle School in Innovative Experiment:
Best High School in Experimental Design:
Best High School in Crop Growth:
Best High School in Evaluation of Results:
Best High School in Innovative Experiment:
Regional Winners
Best Overall Middle School Team:
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:
听 听Middle School 鈥 Bok A’choy from Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne, led by Melissa Sleeper听
听 听High School 鈥 MCCS-High from Miami Community Charter Schools in Florida City, led by Wajida Qureshi
Growth:听
听 听Middle School 鈥
听 听High School 鈥 N/A
Experimental Design:
听 听Middle School 鈥 Lunar Lettuces from Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne, led by Melissa Sleeper
听 听High School 鈥 JILHS-SECME from the JILHS SECME Club in Greenacres, led by Kimberly Crumpler
Innovation:
听 听Middle School 鈥 Spartans from Storm Grove Middle School in Vero Beach, led by Joan Martinello
听 听High School听鈥 N/A
North Carolina
Evaluation of Results:
听 听Middle School 鈥
听 听High School 鈥 Moon Cheese from Innovation Early College High School in Greenville, led by Klara Higgins
Growth:听
听 听Middle School 鈥 Luna Bean from Springfield Middle School in Lucama, led by Victoria Barnes
听 听High School 鈥 Astronomy Agents from Innovation Early College High School in Greenville, led by Klara Higgins
Experimental Design:
听 听Middle School 鈥 AVID Astronauts from Culbreth Middle School in Chapel Hill, led by Sudzina Schut
听 听High School 鈥 Team MWEZI from Innovation Early College High School in Greenville, led by Klara Higgins
Innovation:
听 听Middle School 鈥 Team 1 from Martin Millennium Academy in Tarboro, led by Cherelle Sanders听
听 听High School 鈥 Lunar Landscapers from the Innovation Early College High School in Greenville, led by Klara Higgins
South Carolina
Evaluation of Results:
听 听Middle School 鈥 Santa Squashers from Tall Pines 麻豆村 Academy in Aiken, led by Stephany Griffin
听 听High School 鈥 Space Botanists B (Interlinked) from the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics in Hartsville, led by Jennifer Brown
Growth:听
听 听Middle School 鈥 4 Girls and a Guy from the Tall Pines 麻豆村 Academy in Aiken, led by Stephany Griffin
听 听High School 鈥 Astro-Pots from the Academy for Arts, Science, and Technology in Myrtle Beach, led by Annie Johnson
Experimental Design:
听 听Middle School 鈥 Shooting Stars from Tall Pines 麻豆村 Academy in Aiken, led by Stephany Griffin
听 听High School 鈥 Growthmaxxers from the Academy for the Arts, Science, and Technology in Myrtle Beach, led by Katherine Thompson
Innovation:
听 听Middle School 鈥 Pink Astronauts from Tall Pines Academy in Aiken, led by Stephany Griffin
听 听High School 鈥 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:
听 听Middle School 鈥 Eagles Nest from the Boy Scouts of America Troop 690 in Camuy led by Jos茅 Solis
听 听High School 鈥 Tigers from Manuel Mendez Liciaga High School in San Sebastian, led by Brenda Rodriguez
Growth:听
听 听Middle School 鈥 Venus (3, 2, 1…Plant Launchers) from Dorado Academy in Dorado, led by Veronica Ortiz
听 听High School 鈥 CLUB SIMT from Escuela con Causa Rosalina Caraballo in Catano, led by Keishla Crespo
Experimental Design:
听 听Middle School 鈥
听 听High School 鈥 Club Live – Alpha Team from Colegio Congregaci贸n Mita in San Juan, led by Karen Fern谩ndez
Innovation:
听 听Middle School 鈥
听 听High School 鈥
Virginia
Evaluation of Results:
听 听Middle School 鈥 Team Astrogardeners from Immanuel Christian School in Springfield, led by Leslie Johnston
听 听High School 鈥 Moonshrooms from Freeman High School in Richmond, led by Orien Altman
Growth:听
听 听Middle School 鈥 Blue Shark Scientists from Oak Knoll Middle School in Mechanicsville, led by Kara Zedaker
听 听High School 鈥
Experimental Design:
听 听Middle School 鈥 SJNA Knights from St. John Neumann Academy in Blacksburg, led by Audrey Phillips
听 听High School 鈥
Innovation:
听 听Middle School 鈥 Team Lunar Planters from Immanuel Christian School in Springfield, led by Leslie Johnston
听 听High School 鈥 Lunar Legion from Eastern View High School in Culpepper, led by Rachel Stuart
West Virginia
Evaluation of Results:
听 听Middle School 鈥 WCD Plants the Moon from Wheeling Country Day in Wheeling, led by Britney Farris
听 听High School 鈥 WCHS from Wirt County High School in Elizabeth, led by Callie Daugherty
Growth:听
听 听Middle School 鈥 JackBots1 from Moorefield Middle School in Moorefield, led by Alicen Adkins
听 听High School 鈥 Christmas Cactus from Pike View High School in Princeton, led by Peggy Moore
Experimental Design:
听 听Middle School 鈥 JackBots2 from Moorefield Middle School in Moorefield, led by Alicen Adkins
听 听High School 鈥 Power Puff Planters from Princeton Senior High in Princeton, led by Carol Whitteker
Innovation:
听 听Middle School 鈥 The Moon Monkeys from Westwood Middle School in Morgantown, led by Lindsay Smalls
听 听High School 鈥 The Olive Garden from Pike View High School in Princeton, led by Peggy Moore
Regional Winners
Best Overall Middle School Team: 鈥淢anassas Park Middle鈥 from Manassas Park Middle School in Manassas Park, Virginia led by Robyn Weatherholtz
Best Overall High School Team:
State Winners
Florida
Evaluation of Results:
听 听Middle School听鈥 SGMS-Martinelli8 from Storm Grove Middle School in Vero Beach, led by Joan Martinelli
听 听High School听鈥 N/A
Growth:听
听 听Middle School听鈥
听 听High School听鈥 Black Panthers from Black Home Schoolers of Central Florida in Deltona, led by Rasheeda Denning
Experimental Design:
听 听Middle School听鈥 Walton Warrior 2 from Walton Middle School, led by Greer Harvell
听 听High School听鈥 BAM Team 1 from the Biology and Medicine Club at Lyman High School in Longwood, led by Suzanne Davis
Innovation:
听 听Middle School 鈥
听 听High School听鈥 N/A
North Carolina
Evaluation of Results:
听 听Middle School听鈥 Springfield Middle 4 from Springfield Middle School in Wilson, led by Haley Ward
听 听High School听鈥 N/A
Growth:听
听 听Middle School听鈥 The Veggie Planters from Speight Middle听School in Wilson, led by Kathryn Thomas
听 听High School听鈥 N/A
Experimental Design:
听 听Middle School听鈥 Springfield Middle 5 from听Springfield Middle School, led by Haley Ward
听 听High School听鈥撎齅oon Mycologists from Innovation Early College High School in Greenville, led by Klara Higgins
Innovation:
听 听Middle School听鈥 The Squad from Speight Middle School in Wilson, led by Kathryn Thomas
听 听High School听鈥撎齌he Growing GOATS from Innovation Early听College High School in Greenville, led by Klara Higgin
South Carolina
Evaluation of Results:
听 听Middle School听鈥 Team Liftoff! From Daniel Island School in Charleston, led by Marsha Nea
听 听High School听鈥 Aerospace 1: Aurum Piscis from the Academy of Arts, Science, and Technology in Myrtle听Beach, led by Katie Thompson
Growth:听
听 听Middle School听鈥 Gardeners of the Galaxy Vol. 2 from Orangeburg Christian Academy in Orangeburg, led by听Edward Howell
听 听High School听鈥 CCSMS Mission Group 3 from Charleston Charter School for Math and Science in Charleston, led by听Jandi Withrow
Experimental Design:
听 听Middle School听鈥 Holy City Spacemen from Daniel Island听School in Charleston, led by Marsha Neal
听 听High School听鈥
Innovation:
听 听Middle School听鈥 Big Bang Benjamins from Tall Pines听Academy in Aiken, led by Stephany Griffin
听 听High School听鈥 Beach Kois from the Academy of the Arts, Science, and Technology in Myrtle Beach, led by Annie听Johnson
Puerto Rico
Evaluation of Results:
听 听Middle School听鈥 Astrobiology Makers from S.U. Bayamoncito School in Aguas Buenas, led by Darlene Huertas
听 听High School听鈥 Altalune from Jos茅 Emilio Lugo School in Adjuntas, led by Maria Vanessa Gonz谩lez
Growth:听
听 听Middle School听鈥 Alpha Midori from Instituto Estudiantes Dotados in San Juan, led by H茅ctor Rivera
听 听High School听鈥
Experimental Design:
听 听Middle School听鈥 Seminatrici Spaziali from Hemeterio Col贸n y Warens School in Ponce, led by Del Castro
听 听High School听鈥 Caribbean Moonwalkers from Juan Su谩rez Pelegrina School in Aguadilla, led by Alexandra Ortega
Innovation:
听 听Middle School听鈥 Team 8-1 from the Juan B. Soto School in Aguada, led by Luis Lugo
听 听High School听鈥
Virginia
Evaluation of Results:
听 听Middle School听鈥 Manassas Park Middle from Manassas Park Middle School in Manassas Park, led by Robyn听Weatherholtz
听 听High School听鈥撎齈ea Patrollers from Heritage High School in听Leesburg, led by Amy Goodyear
Growth:听
听 听Middle School听鈥 Forest Middle School Cavaliers #4 from听Forest Middle School in Forest, led by Cindy Watson
听 听High School听鈥撎齋pace Rangers from Tuscarora High School听in Leesburg, led by Marina Whaley
Experimental Design:
听 听Middle School听鈥撎鼵ougars 4 from Pulaski Middle School,听led by Tina Winesett
听 听High School听鈥撎鼳chillea 11 from Eastern View High School听in Culpepper, led by Rachel Stewart
Innovation:
听 听Middle School听鈥撎鼵ougars 1 from Pulaski County Middle听School in Pulaski, led by Tina Winesett
听 听High School听鈥撎鼼reen Moon from Arlington Tech in听Arlington, led by Faith Stanley
West Virginia
Evaluation of Results:
听 听Middle School听鈥 Eighth Grade from East Fairmont Middle School in East Fairmount, led by Samantha Copthorne
听 听High School听鈥
Growth:听
听 听Middle School听鈥 Wildcat Green Team from Wheeling Middle School in Wheeling, led by Jennifer Craig
听 听High School听鈥 RMJC Botany Team from Ronald Mulholland Juvenile Center in Wheeling, led by Jane听Neuenschwander
Experimental Design:
听 听Middle School听鈥
听 听High School听鈥 Princeton AP Bio 2 from Princeton High School, led by Jennifer McClanahan
Innovation:
听 听Middle School听鈥 Oopsie Daisies from East Fairmount Middle School in Fairmont, led by Samantha Copthorne
听 听High School听鈥 Team Laika from Pike View High School in Princeton, led by Teresa Barton