HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson student is one of 20 semi-finalists for the Future Engineers Lunabotics Junior Contest, a national competition where NASA asked K-12 students to design a robot that can dig and move lunar soil from one area of the lunar south pole to a holding container near a future Artemis Moon base. One of these semifinalists is Sistine McKown. McKown earned the honor on Monday.
The essay contest was issued in collaboration with NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate and the Office of STEM Engagement.
NASA’s Artemis Program, will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon and establish long-term lunar science and exploration capabilities that will serve as a springboard for future exploration of Mars.
Over 2,000 essay submissions were received from K-12 students across the country and nearly 500 educators, professionals, and space enthusiasts offered their time as volunteer judges, to review the thousands of robot designs.
On March 22nd the semifinalists will be narrowed down to 8 Finalists who will win a virtual session with a NASA expert. Two Grand Prize winners will be announced on March 29th and they will win a virtual chat for their classrooms with Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro.