Growing Beyond Earth

Fairchild’s Growing Beyond Earth project provides South Florida middle and high school students an opportunity to conduct authentic botanical research in their classroom. This citizen science project provides opportunities to participate in plant experiments to schools registered for The Fairchild Challenge. Students will research which edible plants might be suitable for growth in microgravity aboard the International Space Station’s plant growth facility. The purposes of the experiments are to expand food options and increase plant diversity, by testing multiple edible plants for future space missions. Using equipment that mimics the “Veggie” system aboard the International Space Station, students are testing factors that may influence plant growth, flavor, and nutrition. Scientists at Kennedy Space Center will use students’ data to determine which plants should undergo further investigation.