Create new solutions for space.

The U.S. Department of Education invited high schools to submit designs for a product or service that will contribute to space missions and exploration.

Congratulations to the eight winners

The U.S. Department of Education announced the eight winners of the Your Place in Space Challenge on February 27, 2024.

Meet the winners

Chapel Hill High School

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Freeze-Dried Probiotics: Decreasing gut epithelium leakage and reducing risk of food-borne illness in astronauts

Anderson W. Clark Magnet High School

La Crescenta, California
Global Mars Navigation: An app for astronauts

Collierville High School

Collierville, Tennessee
Chamomile in Space: Growing food and medicine to support space exploration

Greater Lowell Technical High School

Tyngsborough, Massachusetts
Vocational Space Habitat: Creating viable living conditions on other planets

Halifax County High School

South Boston, Virginia
PlantPods: Creating sustainable meal solutions on the way to Mars

Hirschi High School

Wichita Falls, Texas
AI Satellite System for Cybersecurity: Using recycled materials to prevent cyberattacks in low Earth orbit

Kealakehe High School

Kailua Kona, Hawaii
Space Occupation Simulators: Empowering community through a high school initiative

Shaker High School

Latham, New York
Hydroponics System: Producing food on Mars

About the Your Place in Space Challenge

The space industry is expected to triple in size over the next 30 years, offering fulfilling careers with higher-than-average wages. But without a skilled workforce, that vision will never become a reality. Any career can be a space career — and career and technical education (CTE) programs already present a natural starting point for a space career.

The Your Place in Space Challenge connected the dots between the skills students build in CTE programs and the fulfilling careers they can have in the space industry.

Timeline

Throughout the open submissions period, teachers led student teams to develop ideas and submit designs. Submissions were due October 30, followed by judging and winner selection. Eight winning teams were announced on February 27, 2024.

Challenge launch

March 21, 2023

Virtual information session

May 10, 2023

Open submissions

March - October 2023

Submissions close

October 30, 2023

Judging begins

November 2023
We are here

Winner announcement

February 27, 2024

Bring the challenge to your classroom

Learn more about space careers and how your students can design a product or service for space.

Enter this year's Power Your Future Challenge!