Competition Process
Each team of students will receive a lunar or Martian soil simulant package complete with pots, masks, and a pH meter. The lunar and martian soil simulants are specially designed to mimic the soil of the Moon or Mars in chemistry, composition, grain size, and density. Teams will also receive a digital Project Guide from the Institute of Competition Sciences. Following the Project Guide, you will create your own experiment to examine important variables related to plant growth in the simulant. Results from your experiment will be shown to NASA scientists and our scientific evaluators to select best in show projects!Judging Criteria
See https://plantthemoon.com/best-in-show/ for examples of past winning experiments.Awards & Recognition
Best in Show - High School Division
This award counts toward these ICS Academic Badges.
The Data Analysis badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to process, interpret, visualize, and draw meaningful conclusions from complex datasets. Associated skills: Use statistical tools to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies; create clear charts and graphs; present evidence-based recommendations; clean data to ensure accuracy.
The Critical Thinking badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to evaluate complex problems, challenge assumptions, adapt to new information, and devise logical solutions. Associated skills: Document decision-making throughout a project; provide a detailed breakdown of results; analyze points of failure and adapt to setbacks; develop innovative ways to communicate or display information.
The Experimental Design badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to plan and execute high-quality scientific investigations. This badge demonstrates knowledge in identifying important scientific questions, developing experimental protocols, isolating variables, and implementing operational procedures. Associated skills: Formulate valid hypotheses and design repeatable experiments; plan and execute scientific investigations; maintain a control system to validate testing; account for environmental and human error factors.
The Technical Writing badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to document complex concepts, processes, and conclusions with clarity and precision. Associated skills: Author an exemplary project report; adhere to formatting and citation guidelines; develop replicable manuals or procedures; communicate findings in a research-based essay; integrate graphs and visualizations to effectively display data.
The Aerospace badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to apply science, engineering, and innovation to the challenges of flight and space exploration. The badge includes recognition from aerospace competitions covering lunar and planetary science, space systems engineering, mission concept development, and the commercialization of aerospace technology. Associated skills: Apply knowledge of the space environment to engineering and science problems; use in-situ resources to overcome mission constraints; conduct and document experiments relevant to human space exploration; translate aerospace research and technology into real-world applications.
Best in Show - College and Professional Division
This award counts toward these ICS Academic Badges.
The Data Analysis badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to process, interpret, visualize, and draw meaningful conclusions from complex datasets. Associated skills: Use statistical tools to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies; create clear charts and graphs; present evidence-based recommendations; clean data to ensure accuracy.
The Critical Thinking badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to evaluate complex problems, challenge assumptions, adapt to new information, and devise logical solutions. Associated skills: Document decision-making throughout a project; provide a detailed breakdown of results; analyze points of failure and adapt to setbacks; develop innovative ways to communicate or display information.
The Experimental Design badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to plan and execute high-quality scientific investigations. This badge demonstrates knowledge in identifying important scientific questions, developing experimental protocols, isolating variables, and implementing operational procedures. Associated skills: Formulate valid hypotheses and design repeatable experiments; plan and execute scientific investigations; maintain a control system to validate testing; account for environmental and human error factors.
The Technical Writing badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to document complex concepts, processes, and conclusions with clarity and precision. Associated skills: Author an exemplary project report; adhere to formatting and citation guidelines; develop replicable manuals or procedures; communicate findings in a research-based essay; integrate graphs and visualizations to effectively display data.
The Aerospace badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to apply science, engineering, and innovation to the challenges of flight and space exploration. The badge includes recognition from aerospace competitions covering lunar and planetary science, space systems engineering, mission concept development, and the commercialization of aerospace technology. Associated skills: Apply knowledge of the space environment to engineering and science problems; use in-situ resources to overcome mission constraints; conduct and document experiments relevant to human space exploration; translate aerospace research and technology into real-world applications.
Florida Best In Show - High School Division
This award counts toward these ICS Academic Badges.
The Data Analysis badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to process, interpret, visualize, and draw meaningful conclusions from complex datasets. Associated skills: Use statistical tools to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies; create clear charts and graphs; present evidence-based recommendations; clean data to ensure accuracy.
The Critical Thinking badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to evaluate complex problems, challenge assumptions, adapt to new information, and devise logical solutions. Associated skills: Document decision-making throughout a project; provide a detailed breakdown of results; analyze points of failure and adapt to setbacks; develop innovative ways to communicate or display information.
The Experimental Design badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to plan and execute high-quality scientific investigations. This badge demonstrates knowledge in identifying important scientific questions, developing experimental protocols, isolating variables, and implementing operational procedures. Associated skills: Formulate valid hypotheses and design repeatable experiments; plan and execute scientific investigations; maintain a control system to validate testing; account for environmental and human error factors.
The Technical Writing badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to document complex concepts, processes, and conclusions with clarity and precision. Associated skills: Author an exemplary project report; adhere to formatting and citation guidelines; develop replicable manuals or procedures; communicate findings in a research-based essay; integrate graphs and visualizations to effectively display data.
The Aerospace badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to apply science, engineering, and innovation to the challenges of flight and space exploration. The badge includes recognition from aerospace competitions covering lunar and planetary science, space systems engineering, mission concept development, and the commercialization of aerospace technology. Associated skills: Apply knowledge of the space environment to engineering and science problems; use in-situ resources to overcome mission constraints; conduct and document experiments relevant to human space exploration; translate aerospace research and technology into real-world applications.
North Carolina Best in Show - High School Division
This award counts toward these ICS Academic Badges.
The Data Analysis badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to process, interpret, visualize, and draw meaningful conclusions from complex datasets. Associated skills: Use statistical tools to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies; create clear charts and graphs; present evidence-based recommendations; clean data to ensure accuracy.
The Critical Thinking badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to evaluate complex problems, challenge assumptions, adapt to new information, and devise logical solutions. Associated skills: Document decision-making throughout a project; provide a detailed breakdown of results; analyze points of failure and adapt to setbacks; develop innovative ways to communicate or display information.
The Experimental Design badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to plan and execute high-quality scientific investigations. This badge demonstrates knowledge in identifying important scientific questions, developing experimental protocols, isolating variables, and implementing operational procedures. Associated skills: Formulate valid hypotheses and design repeatable experiments; plan and execute scientific investigations; maintain a control system to validate testing; account for environmental and human error factors.
The Technical Writing badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to document complex concepts, processes, and conclusions with clarity and precision. Associated skills: Author an exemplary project report; adhere to formatting and citation guidelines; develop replicable manuals or procedures; communicate findings in a research-based essay; integrate graphs and visualizations to effectively display data.
The Aerospace badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to apply science, engineering, and innovation to the challenges of flight and space exploration. The badge includes recognition from aerospace competitions covering lunar and planetary science, space systems engineering, mission concept development, and the commercialization of aerospace technology. Associated skills: Apply knowledge of the space environment to engineering and science problems; use in-situ resources to overcome mission constraints; conduct and document experiments relevant to human space exploration; translate aerospace research and technology into real-world applications.
Puerto Rico Best in Show - High School Division
This award counts toward these ICS Academic Badges.
The Data Analysis badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to process, interpret, visualize, and draw meaningful conclusions from complex datasets. Associated skills: Use statistical tools to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies; create clear charts and graphs; present evidence-based recommendations; clean data to ensure accuracy.
The Critical Thinking badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to evaluate complex problems, challenge assumptions, adapt to new information, and devise logical solutions. Associated skills: Document decision-making throughout a project; provide a detailed breakdown of results; analyze points of failure and adapt to setbacks; develop innovative ways to communicate or display information.
The Experimental Design badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to plan and execute high-quality scientific investigations. This badge demonstrates knowledge in identifying important scientific questions, developing experimental protocols, isolating variables, and implementing operational procedures. Associated skills: Formulate valid hypotheses and design repeatable experiments; plan and execute scientific investigations; maintain a control system to validate testing; account for environmental and human error factors.
The Technical Writing badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to document complex concepts, processes, and conclusions with clarity and precision. Associated skills: Author an exemplary project report; adhere to formatting and citation guidelines; develop replicable manuals or procedures; communicate findings in a research-based essay; integrate graphs and visualizations to effectively display data.
The Aerospace badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to apply science, engineering, and innovation to the challenges of flight and space exploration. The badge includes recognition from aerospace competitions covering lunar and planetary science, space systems engineering, mission concept development, and the commercialization of aerospace technology. Associated skills: Apply knowledge of the space environment to engineering and science problems; use in-situ resources to overcome mission constraints; conduct and document experiments relevant to human space exploration; translate aerospace research and technology into real-world applications.
South Carolina Best in Show - High School Division
This award counts toward these ICS Academic Badges.
The Data Analysis badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to process, interpret, visualize, and draw meaningful conclusions from complex datasets. Associated skills: Use statistical tools to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies; create clear charts and graphs; present evidence-based recommendations; clean data to ensure accuracy.
The Critical Thinking badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to evaluate complex problems, challenge assumptions, adapt to new information, and devise logical solutions. Associated skills: Document decision-making throughout a project; provide a detailed breakdown of results; analyze points of failure and adapt to setbacks; develop innovative ways to communicate or display information.
The Experimental Design badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to plan and execute high-quality scientific investigations. This badge demonstrates knowledge in identifying important scientific questions, developing experimental protocols, isolating variables, and implementing operational procedures. Associated skills: Formulate valid hypotheses and design repeatable experiments; plan and execute scientific investigations; maintain a control system to validate testing; account for environmental and human error factors.
The Technical Writing badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to document complex concepts, processes, and conclusions with clarity and precision. Associated skills: Author an exemplary project report; adhere to formatting and citation guidelines; develop replicable manuals or procedures; communicate findings in a research-based essay; integrate graphs and visualizations to effectively display data.
The Aerospace badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to apply science, engineering, and innovation to the challenges of flight and space exploration. The badge includes recognition from aerospace competitions covering lunar and planetary science, space systems engineering, mission concept development, and the commercialization of aerospace technology. Associated skills: Apply knowledge of the space environment to engineering and science problems; use in-situ resources to overcome mission constraints; conduct and document experiments relevant to human space exploration; translate aerospace research and technology into real-world applications.
Virginia Best in Show - High School Division
This award counts toward these ICS Academic Badges.
The Data Analysis badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to process, interpret, visualize, and draw meaningful conclusions from complex datasets. Associated skills: Use statistical tools to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies; create clear charts and graphs; present evidence-based recommendations; clean data to ensure accuracy.
The Critical Thinking badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to evaluate complex problems, challenge assumptions, adapt to new information, and devise logical solutions. Associated skills: Document decision-making throughout a project; provide a detailed breakdown of results; analyze points of failure and adapt to setbacks; develop innovative ways to communicate or display information.
The Experimental Design badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to plan and execute high-quality scientific investigations. This badge demonstrates knowledge in identifying important scientific questions, developing experimental protocols, isolating variables, and implementing operational procedures. Associated skills: Formulate valid hypotheses and design repeatable experiments; plan and execute scientific investigations; maintain a control system to validate testing; account for environmental and human error factors.
The Technical Writing badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to document complex concepts, processes, and conclusions with clarity and precision. Associated skills: Author an exemplary project report; adhere to formatting and citation guidelines; develop replicable manuals or procedures; communicate findings in a research-based essay; integrate graphs and visualizations to effectively display data.
The Aerospace badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to apply science, engineering, and innovation to the challenges of flight and space exploration. The badge includes recognition from aerospace competitions covering lunar and planetary science, space systems engineering, mission concept development, and the commercialization of aerospace technology. Associated skills: Apply knowledge of the space environment to engineering and science problems; use in-situ resources to overcome mission constraints; conduct and document experiments relevant to human space exploration; translate aerospace research and technology into real-world applications.
West Virginia Best in Show - High School Division
This award counts toward these ICS Academic Badges.
The Experimental Design badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to plan and execute high-quality scientific investigations. This badge demonstrates knowledge in identifying important scientific questions, developing experimental protocols, isolating variables, and implementing operational procedures. Associated skills: Formulate valid hypotheses and design repeatable experiments; plan and execute scientific investigations; maintain a control system to validate testing; account for environmental and human error factors.
The Aerospace badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to apply science, engineering, and innovation to the challenges of flight and space exploration. The badge includes recognition from aerospace competitions covering lunar and planetary science, space systems engineering, mission concept development, and the commercialization of aerospace technology. Associated skills: Apply knowledge of the space environment to engineering and science problems; use in-situ resources to overcome mission constraints; conduct and document experiments relevant to human space exploration; translate aerospace research and technology into real-world applications.
The Critical Thinking badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to evaluate complex problems, challenge assumptions, adapt to new information, and devise logical solutions. Associated skills: Document decision-making throughout a project; provide a detailed breakdown of results; analyze points of failure and adapt to setbacks; develop innovative ways to communicate or display information.
The Data Analysis badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to process, interpret, visualize, and draw meaningful conclusions from complex datasets. Associated skills: Use statistical tools to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies; create clear charts and graphs; present evidence-based recommendations; clean data to ensure accuracy.
The Technical Writing badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to document complex concepts, processes, and conclusions with clarity and precision. Associated skills: Author an exemplary project report; adhere to formatting and citation guidelines; develop replicable manuals or procedures; communicate findings in a research-based essay; integrate graphs and visualizations to effectively display data.
Best In Show - Elementary School Division
This award counts toward these ICS Academic Badges.
The Data Analysis badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to process, interpret, visualize, and draw meaningful conclusions from complex datasets. Associated skills: Use statistical tools to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies; create clear charts and graphs; present evidence-based recommendations; clean data to ensure accuracy.
The Critical Thinking badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to evaluate complex problems, challenge assumptions, adapt to new information, and devise logical solutions. Associated skills: Document decision-making throughout a project; provide a detailed breakdown of results; analyze points of failure and adapt to setbacks; develop innovative ways to communicate or display information.
The Experimental Design badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to plan and execute high-quality scientific investigations. This badge demonstrates knowledge in identifying important scientific questions, developing experimental protocols, isolating variables, and implementing operational procedures. Associated skills: Formulate valid hypotheses and design repeatable experiments; plan and execute scientific investigations; maintain a control system to validate testing; account for environmental and human error factors.
The Technical Writing badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to document complex concepts, processes, and conclusions with clarity and precision. Associated skills: Author an exemplary project report; adhere to formatting and citation guidelines; develop replicable manuals or procedures; communicate findings in a research-based essay; integrate graphs and visualizations to effectively display data.
The Aerospace badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to apply science, engineering, and innovation to the challenges of flight and space exploration. The badge includes recognition from aerospace competitions covering lunar and planetary science, space systems engineering, mission concept development, and the commercialization of aerospace technology. Associated skills: Apply knowledge of the space environment to engineering and science problems; use in-situ resources to overcome mission constraints; conduct and document experiments relevant to human space exploration; translate aerospace research and technology into real-world applications.
Best In Show - Middle School Division
This award counts toward these ICS Academic Badges.
The Data Analysis badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to process, interpret, visualize, and draw meaningful conclusions from complex datasets. Associated skills: Use statistical tools to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies; create clear charts and graphs; present evidence-based recommendations; clean data to ensure accuracy.
The Critical Thinking badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to evaluate complex problems, challenge assumptions, adapt to new information, and devise logical solutions. Associated skills: Document decision-making throughout a project; provide a detailed breakdown of results; analyze points of failure and adapt to setbacks; develop innovative ways to communicate or display information.
The Experimental Design badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to plan and execute high-quality scientific investigations. This badge demonstrates knowledge in identifying important scientific questions, developing experimental protocols, isolating variables, and implementing operational procedures. Associated skills: Formulate valid hypotheses and design repeatable experiments; plan and execute scientific investigations; maintain a control system to validate testing; account for environmental and human error factors.
The Technical Writing badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to document complex concepts, processes, and conclusions with clarity and precision. Associated skills: Author an exemplary project report; adhere to formatting and citation guidelines; develop replicable manuals or procedures; communicate findings in a research-based essay; integrate graphs and visualizations to effectively display data.
The Aerospace badge is awarded to students who earn recognition in competitions that demonstrate their ability to apply science, engineering, and innovation to the challenges of flight and space exploration. The badge includes recognition from aerospace competitions covering lunar and planetary science, space systems engineering, mission concept development, and the commercialization of aerospace technology. Associated skills: Apply knowledge of the space environment to engineering and science problems; use in-situ resources to overcome mission constraints; conduct and document experiments relevant to human space exploration; translate aerospace research and technology into real-world applications.
Participate
Website: https://www.plantthemoon.com
Managing Organization: Institute of Competition Sciences
Elementary, Middle School, High School, University/Professional teams are all welcome to participate and will be judged & awarded according to their age division.