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Calling all West Virginia Teachers and Informal STEM Educators

Middle and High School Teachers and Team Leaders from across the state, the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium (WVSGC) invites you to participate in the Plant the Moon or Build the Moon Challenge offered through the Institute of Competition Sciences. Interested teachers and youth leaders can apply for funding for either or both the Plant the Moon or Build the Moon Challenges by completing this application form.
How do Plant the Moon and Build the Moon Challenges differ?
The Plant the Moon Challenge NASA Regional Expansion Project engages students in plant growth research that explores what crops and lunar regolith soil mixtures NASA scientists consider for future lunar habitats. In the Build the Moon Challenge, students help NASA explore how lunar regolith could be used in the construction of future lunar habitats. A detailed overview of these two challenges, task requirements for each challenge, and timelines are provided on this website.

What do participating educators receive if selected for a WVSGC award?
• Plant the Moon (High School and Professional Level):
Supports teams of up to 5 students with adult “coach”. (Each kit provides simulant packs with enough materials for around 5 plants/pots for the Regular Challenge.) The kit COST: $243 (includes shipping) is covered for this level awardees.
• Plant the Moon Junior (Elementary and Middle School Level):
Supports teams up to a maximum of 40 students, but the recommendation is one classroom group. One adult “coach”. (Each simulant pack provides for around 15 plants/pots for the Junior Challenge). The kit COST: $463 (includes shipping) is covered for this level awardees.
• Build the Moon (Middle and High School):
Supports teams of up to one classroom group with one adult “coach”. The kit COST: $463 (includes shipping) is covered for this level awardees.
*Awardees participating in both challenges at all levels will be included in opportunities to engage in STEM activities and virtual events that highlight NASA’s Artemis mission and space science research.

Eligibility: Team coaches can be middle or high school teachers or organizations such as Girl or Boy Scouts or 4-H clubs that work with this age group. The project has broad appeal to science, biology, botany, earth science, and agricultural and other related disciplines.
Timeline: The Build the Moon Challenge kits are mailed out in mid-September with Final Submission due November 15, 2026. The Plant the Moon Challenge kits are mailed out in early January with final reports due in mid-April of 2027.
Build the Moon Application Deadline: 15 August 2026
Plant the Moon Application Deadline: 1 October 2026
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1.First name(Required.)
2.Last name(Required.)
3.Please provide us with your email address.(Required.)
4.Please provide us with a phone number where we careach you during business hours:(Required.)
5.Name of your school or organization:(Required.)
6.Educational context for implementing the Plant the Moon or Build the Moon Challenge(Required.)
7.Please estimate the number of students that will be participating in the Plant the Moon Challenge.(Required.)
8.How many kits do you wish to receive? NOTE: High school (and professional) kits serve teams of up to 5 participants with one coach. Elementary and middle school kits may include up to 40 students, but the recommendation is one classroom group with one coach.(Required.)
9.Describe the specific class or informal education program in which you will be offering the Plant the Moon Challenge. Explain why you would like to participate in this program.

Describe the demographics for the students your school or organization serves and how underserved and underrepresented populations are included.(Required.)
10.I confirm that my School Administrator is aware of and supportive of my participation in the NASA Space Grant Plant the Moon Challenge. A letter or email from my school (or organization) administration will be emailed to the West Virginia coordinator, lfruberg@gmail.com(Required.)