SOLAR SYSTEM COMPETITION

Solar System Competition:                                          May 16, 2012

Awards Reception            NASA Goddard Space Flight Visitor’s Center

                                                                                         Greenbelt, MD

General information:  The purpose of the Solar System Competition is to create interest in the solar system from a hands-on perspective for local middle school students.    

Program:    Twelve teams of 10 students will complete a research project for a selected NASA mission.  The project will include a five-page research paper, brochure, an original webpage, a display and oral presentation regarding what they have learned at an awards reception.  The NASA missions:

Schools:   The competition will be among student teams from middle schools (6^th-8^th grade) in the Washington, D.C. area.   

Awards Program:  Students will be required to submit their research by April 6, 2012 and present their display at the awards reception on May 16, 2012.

The Solar System Competition will consist of a panel of Astronomy professionals that will judge the students’ projects based on a set of predetermined criteria, which will also be distributed to the teams prior to the submission of their research.  The awards reception that will be attended by teachers, parents, local business leaders and elected officials will be held at the NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland

Prizes:  The winning team will receive a trip to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, valued at $1700 per student.  The teacher of the winning team will also receive a stipend of $500 dollars for their participation and attendance at the space camp.    

Business and government support:  Our major partners for this event are the Inspire Project and the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. 

Several companies, organizations and interest groups will also be recruited to serve as sponsors and contributors to the event.

Fee:     You must be an active member of the Patro-Tech Science Club.

Information and registration: Call Patriots at 301-925-9350.