The Institute of Competition Sciences (ICS) makes learning an exciting challenge for students of all ages. For ICS, it’s not only about creating a tool for students, educators and innovators. It’s about creating academic heroes, and building the structures and systems upon which they can be recognized and rewarded. We aim to do for educational competitions what ESPN has done for professional sports, and much more. The Plant the Moon Challenge Jr. is ICS’s signature competition to help engage, inspire, and motivate students to learn through real-world challenge-based programming.
In collaboration with
NASA SSERVI
Recognizing that science and human exploration are mutually enabling, NASA created the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) to address basic and applied scientific questions fundamental to understanding the Moon, Near Earth Asteroids, the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos, and the near space environments of these target bodies. As a virtual institute, SSERVI funds investigators at a broad range of domestic institutions, bringing them together along with international partners via virtual technology to enable new scientific efforts.
NASA Partner
The Plant the Moon Challenge Jr. partnered with six Space Grant Consortiums on a special NASA-funded regional project to expand the reach of the PTMC to underserved and underrepresented STEM students in the six partnering states: Virginia (lead), North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Florida, and Puerto Rico.
The NASA Space Grant Regional Expansion Project built on the Plant the Moon Challenge Jr. by providing additional state-based support to educators, free lunar regolith simulant kits, teacher stipends, enhancement activities, special experiential state/regional awards, and expanded educator professional development. The project engaged nearly 12,000 students over three years from 2023-2025.
Science Advisory Board
The Plant the Moon Challenge is supported by volunteer scientists and business people in the space and agriculture industries, providing participants with expert perspectives and cutting edge information. If you are an expert in these industries or working a related profession, and would like to learn more about becoming a member of our Advisory Board, please contact: ptmc@competitionsciences.org.
Jessica
Atkin
PhD Candidate
Texas A&M University
Dr. Borja Barbero Barcenilla
Lunar Science Coordinator
Moon Village Association
Gil
Cauthorn
PhD Candidate
University of North Dakota
Chuyan
Chen
Food System Manager
Axiom Space
Dr. Colleen
Doherty
Associate Professor of Biochemistry
North Carolina State University
Dr. Isi
Ero-Johnson
Dean, School of Science
Hampton University
Mahsa
Esfandabadi
Aerospace Architectural Engineer
SEArch+
Dr. Laura
Fackrell
Space Biologist and Agritech Scientist
Independent
Dr. Ralph
Fritsche
Space Crop Production Manager
NASA Kennedy Space Center
Andri
Guðmundsson
Co-Founder
VAXA
Dr. Robert
Heinse
Associate Professor of Soil
University of Idaho
Dr. Chongze
Hu
Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering
University of Alabama
Morgan
Irons
Soil and Crop Sciences PhD Candidate
Cornell University
Jared
Long-Fox
Planetary Exploration Research Scientist
University of Central Florida
Dr. Rafael
Loureiro
Assistant Professor of Botany
Winston-Salem State University
Dr. Scott
Lowman
Vice President, Applied Research
Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
Dr. Kennda
Lynch
Program Scientist
NASA Headquarters
Dr. Chris
McKay
Senior Scientist
NASA Ames Research Center
Dr. Qingwu
Meng
Professor of Horticulture
University of Delaware
Dr. Joseph
Minafra
Lead for Innovation & Technical Partnerships
NASA SSERVI
Dr. Melanie
Mormile
Associate Dean of Research
Missouri University of Science & Technology
Dr. Andrew
Palmer
Associate Professor
Florida Institute of Technology
Dr. Shawana
Tabassum
Assistant Professor of Engineering
University of Texas at Tyler
Lucia
White
Lieutenant Colonel
United States Space Force