The Institute of Competition Sciences works with corporate sponsors and other donors to provide critical resources to support student participation in the Plant the Moon Challenge Jr. To learn more about our various sponsorship opportunities contact: josh@competitionsciences.org.
Space Grant Consortiums
The Space Grant Consortium are educational institutions in the United States that comprise a network of fifty-two consortia formed for the purpose of outer space-related research. Each consortium is based in one of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, and each consists of multiple independent space-grant institutions, with one of the institutions acting as lead.
The Plant the Moon Challenge Jr. is currently supported by the Space Grant Consortiums of AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, ID, KS, KY, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, PA, PR, RI, SC, TX, VA, WY, and WV.
If you do not see your state’s Space Grant Consortium listed here, we encourage you to reach out to them expressing your interest in participating in the Plant the Moon Challenge Jr.
VAXA
VAXA grows high quality leafy greens in a fully controlled environment in indoor farms located in Reykjavík, Iceland and Örebro, Sweden. VAXA’s mission is to provide consumers with healthy, clean, and high-quality food, produced in a sustainable and responsible manner.
VAXA is sponsoring student teams in Iceland and Sweden, expanding the international reach of the Plant the Moon Challenge.
National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 945,000 student members as part of 9,163 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Plant the Moon is a National FFA Organization Endorsed Activity. FFA members are encouraged to participate.
New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service
The New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service (CES), part of the New Mexico State University College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, provides practical, research-based knowledge and programs to serve the citizens of New Mexico. CES focuses on collaboration to foster economic, educational, and community development, keeping the needs of our neighbors at the forefront of their work.
Extension agents and specialists have worked during the last couple of years to create effective ways for youth to access science, technology, art and math education opportunities, including a new partnership with the Institute of Competition Sciences to participate in the Plant the Moon Challenge, which will be focused on motivating New Mexico youth to pursue STEM education and career opportunities.
Off Planet Research
Off Planet Research creates high-quality simulants that replicate the soil and ice found on the Moon and other planetary bodies. These simulants are used to test and develop space technologies that will support future missions beyond Earth. Through support from NASA, the National Science Foundation, and other partners, OPR contributes to the advancement of space science by enabling safe, effective solutions for living and working in off-world environments.
OPR provides the lunar and Martian simulants used in the Plant the Moon Challenge kits, giving students a unique opportunity to conduct experiments with materials modeled after real regolith.
Back to the Roots
Back to the Roots evolved from a college kitchen experiment into a passion for organic gardening and a mission to help reconnect a new generation back to food and where it comes from. They want to help every family and kid across the country experience the magic and wonder of growing their own food – no green thumb or big backyard needed! Back to the Roots offers easy & fun grow kits and a line of packet seeds to begin a growing journey.
Back to the Roots provides several types of seed packets for PTMC Jr. teams to use in their experiments.
Flinn Scientific
Born from a desire to serve science teachers, Flinn Scientific has grown to become a trusted source for science supplies and equipment, laboratory chemicals, and lab safety resources. The history of Flinn Scientific has always been driven by their mission to support science teachers in opening young minds to the challenges, joys and rewards of scientific discovery.
Flinn Scientific provides the pH strips for our PTMC Jr. teams to use in their experiments.
IA Governor's STEM Advisory Council
Iowa STEM is focused on increasing student interest and achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in Iowa. The task is to prepare STEM-literate students for career paths in the economically vital fields of bioscience (agriculture and health), finance, information technology, advanced manufacturing, and other STEM fields in order to provide a competitive, economic advantage to the state. To enculturate, sustain and spread STEM thinking, the Iowa STEM has created the Seal of Approval to recognize and support select, non-Council programs and events that help achieve Iowa STEM goals.
The Plant the Moon Challenge has been a recognized with the Seal of Approval since 2023.