Plant the Moon Challenge
Forecasted
Plant the Moon Challenge supports North Dakota student teams investigating vegetable growth in lunar or Martian soil to explore how astronauts might grow food on the Moon.
Funder: North Dakota NASA Space Grant Consortium
Due Dates (Anticipated): November 2026 (Spring challenge) | May 2027 (Fall challenge)
Funding Amounts: NDSGC pays for requested experiment kits
Summary: North Dakota student teams investigate vegetable growth in lunar or Martian soil through a global science challenge.
Key Information: The mentor or educator must work at a public North Dakota K–12 school, museum, nonprofit, or club.
Description
The Plant the Moon Challenge is a global science experiment for elementary, middle, and high school students. Teams examine how vegetable crops grow in lunar or Martian soil, connecting a hands-on investigation of food production beyond Earth with NASA’s Artemis lunar exploration program. Their experiments address the question of how astronauts might grow food on the Moon.
The North Dakota NASA Space Grant Consortium supports teams in the state by paying the Institute of Competition Sciences to send requested experiment kits. This sponsorship brings the challenge to North Dakota classrooms and youth groups.
