Future astronauts will need to grow their own food millions of miles from Earth. In this self-guided experiment, you'll tackle that exact challenge — planting vegetable crops in real lunar or Martian soil simulant to see what survives, what thrives, and what you discover along the way.
Competition Process
Each team registration comes with a 2kg container of lunar simulant, pH strips, KN95 masks, gloves, 10 pots, and a Kit Companian Guide to help you get started. The lunar soil simulant is specially designed to mimic the soil of the Moonin chemistry, composition, grain size, and density. You will create your own experiment to examine important variables related to plant growth in the simulant. Unlike the official Plant the Moon Challenge, Plant the Moon: Summer Lab is fully self-guided. You set the pace, choose your group size, and run your experiment your way.Judging Criteria
Participating teams will have the opportunity to a submit a Final Report for Certificates of Completion, recognizing what they have learned through this experiment. Awards are not part of the PTMC Summer Lab program.Participate
Website: http://www.plantthemoon.com/summer-lab
Managing Organization: Institute of Competition Sciences
Eligibility:
Aerospace farmers of all ages are welcome—making this a perfect fit for both families at home or organized summer camps and programs.
Aerospace farmers of all ages are welcome—making this a perfect fit for both families at home or organized summer camps and programs.
Registration Dates
May 3, 2026
12:00am PDT
Registration Opens
June 21, 2026
11:59pm PDT