Grade 7 Students "Plant the Moon!"

Each year, Grade 7 Earth Science classes participate in Plant the Moon, a global science experiment and educational competition that invites students, educators, and enthusiasts to explore the possibilities of growing crops in lunar or Martian soil simulants. Organized by the Institute of Competition Sciences in collaboration with NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI), the challenge aims to advance our understanding of space agriculture and support future long-duration space missions.

This year, one of our three competing teams. "Spartans vs. Mars," won in the statewide Best in Show category! Spartan scientists designed an experiment around the idea of growing plants in lunar or Martian regolith (soil). With NASA’s return to the Moon through the Artemis program coming up next year, the space industry is focusing on how humanity might survive living on the Moon as preparation for exploring other planets in the future.

"I'm incredibly impressed by the dedication and creativity shown by these Spartan scientists," said Science Department Chair Dr. Judibelle Román. "Their achievement in this competition highlights both their enthusiasm for science and the excellence of our science program."

The winning team planted different types of plants in various combinations of Martian regolith and Earth soil. They also determined which additives to include—both to compensate for the lack of organic matter and to break up the compactness of the regolith (by adding perlite). Students successfully grew several of the plant varieties and documented their findings through formal written lab reports.

This is the fourth year St. Johns students have competed in the challenge, and each year a Spartan team has won an award of some kind. Congratulations, Spartan scientists!

Members of Spartans vs. Mars include:

Congratulations, Spartans!