St. John’s Catholic School is proud to announce their 7/8th grade Plant the Moon Challenge project was awarded Overall Best-in-Show. Their project studied the effects of purple light on plants in regular soil and moon soil stimulant. While this was a project implemented by our 7/8th grades, more than 60 of SJCS students helped to support this project.
Participating in the Plant the Moon Challenge Jr. (PTMC) has been an extraordinary opportunity for our students to engage in real-world, hands-on experimentation while mastering the scientific method. The challenge required them to form hypotheses, design experiments, collect and analyze data, and present their findings—a process that deeply reinforced their understanding of the scientific method. For example, students hypothesized about which soil amendments would optimize plant growth in lunar regolith simulant and then rigorously tested their ideas. Through this, they learned the importance of controlling variables, replicating trials, and drawing evidence-based conclusions. Through PTMC, students grew not only as scientists but also as collaborative problem-solvers. They were inspired by their potential to contribute to the future of space exploration and sustainable agriculture, fostering both a sense of curiosity and a belief in their ability to make a meaningful impact in STEM fields.
“Students developed research skills by investigating existing studies on soil science and space agriculture,” said Middle School Teacher and PTMC coach Karin Paquin. “I emphasized the importance of using peer-reviewed articles to ensure their sources were credible. This required teaching them how to access academic databases and critically evaluate research, a skill they can carry into future academic and professional endeavors.”
The PTMC also broadened their perspectives on STEM, space exploration, and agricultural science. By working with lunar simulants, students developed an appreciation for the challenges and innovations involved in sustaining life beyond Earth. They discovered connections between STEM disciplines—such as physics, biology, and engineering—and realized how these fields work in tandem to solve real-world problems.
Dr. Tim Durham, Associate Professor of Crop Science at Ferrum College in Virginia and Science Advisory Board Member, added, "congratulations on your completion of the Plant the Moon Challenge. You showed perseverance and innovation in critical thinking when your hypothesis was rejected. The team demonstrated curiosity and a desire to apply their learning to real world science problems revolving around living off world."
In the eight weeks of their PTMC participation, the team encountered multiple challenges that tested their adaptability and problem-solving skills. One significant challenge was determining the optimal amount of water for plant growth. Initially, they started with 5 milliliters of water per plant, but after observing limited progress, they adjusted to 20 milliliters, which significantly improved growth outcomes.
"This changed my perspective of biology, and it helped me see how hard it would be for astronauts to grow food in space," said 6th grade student participant, Max. Classmate Graham adds, “it changed my view on science for me because now I think we could actually grow plants on the moon.”
"It changed science for me by showing me that science isn't all just vocabulary and a paper and pen. It showed me that science can be more hands on," added 6th grade student participant, Gracelynn. Students also collaborated with ELA teacher Katie Loubier to revise their reports and provide feedback on grammar, spelling and punctuation. In art class with Jennifer Weiss, they were able to draw models of their experiments before building and change designs based on research.
Reflecting on the process, the team identified areas for improvement. Paquin adds, “if we were to repeat the experiment, we would begin with higher water volumes, ensuring the plants receive adequate hydration and nutrients from the start. This adjustment could have potentially influenced our results even further.”
These findings also sparked new questions, particularly about the limitations of replicating Earth-like conditions in space. For example, how can astronauts provide consistent natural light for plants in a space environment where sunlight is intermittent? This question opens the door to exploring innovative solutions, such as advanced lighting systems or reflective technologies, for sustaining plant growth in space. Our PTMC experience not only strengthened our understanding of the scientific method but also deepened our curiosity about the intersection of space exploration and agricultural science, inspiring us to seek answers to real-world challenges in STEM fields.
How did the students react to learning they won? 7th Grade student Mary Kathleen said she and her classmates were surprised and excited. "It was kind of amazing. I saw our name at the awards ceremony, and I was like…what?! I couldn't believe that we did it."
About Plant the Moon Challenge:
The Plant the Moon Challenge is a global science experiment and research challenge to examine how vegetable crops can grow in lunar or Martian soil. https://plantthemoon.com/
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