NSS "Live in a Healthy Space" Design Competition
by National Space Society (NSS)
$2,500 Scholarship
NSS "Live in a Healthy Space" Design Competition is a competition by National Space Society (NSS) for students in Class 6–12, open to students across India.
Mode
Online
Eligibility
Class 6–12
Fee
$15
Duration
Approximately 4 months (August 1 to November 30 annually)
Format
Individual · Teams of 12
Time needed
Flexible, self-paced design work and research, estimated 5-10 hours per week depending on project complexity.
About This Opportunity
The National Space Society's (NSS) "Live in a Healthy Space" Design Competition challenges middle and high school students to conceptualize and design an agricultural module or area vital for future space settlements. This competition highlights the crucial need for sustainable food production and healthy living environments for individuals residing and working in space, on long-duration space flights, or on other celestial bodies like Mars or the Moon.
Participants will delve into diverse STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) topics, including physics, engineering, health, biology, nutrition, mathematics, and environmental science, as they develop groundbreaking solutions for food infrastructure and healthy diets in extraterrestrial environments. The competition encourages interdisciplinary approaches, welcoming students from science, art, and culinary backgrounds to contribute their unique perspectives.
Entries can be submitted individually, as part of small teams (2-5 students), or as large teams (6-12 students). The primary goal is to foster scientific temperament, ignite experimentation skills, promote STEM education, and inspire the next generation to envision humanity's future in space.
Designs should focus on creating robust infrastructures for proper nutrition and healthy diets that protect astronauts from the hazards of space living, with potential outcomes benefiting both space inhabitants and those on Earth. This competition is closely associated with the prestigious NSS Gerard K. O'Neill Space Settlement Contest, and entries can be integrated into that contest for broader recognition, though separate submission is also permitted. The competition has seen significant international participation, with thousands of students from various countries, including India, showcasing their innovative ideas.
Eligibility
- Grade Level
- Class 6–12
- Age Range
- 12 - 18 years
- Location
- Nationwide
Academic requirement
Open to all middle and high school students.
Prerequisites
- Interest in space science, engineering, and sustainable living.
- Ability to conduct research and develop design concepts.
Additional requirements
- Participants can be individuals or teams (small teams: 2-5 students; large teams: 6-12 students).
- Entries are grouped by age/grade of the oldest contestant for judging.
Open to middle and high school students aged 12-18 (Grades 6-12) from India and worldwide. Participants can be individuals or teams of up to 12 students. No specific academic prerequisites beyond grade level are required.
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Academic Details
Difficulty: Intermediate
What's covered
The competition's curriculum is self-directed, focusing on designing an agricultural module for space settlements. This encompasses a broad range of topics including food production systems (hydroponics, aeroponics), nutritional requirements in space, waste management, environmental control, and the integration of biological and engineering systems to create healthy and sustainable living environments in extraterrestrial settings. It encourages interdisciplinary study across various STEAM fields.
Rewards & Recognition
Award
$2,500
A $2,500 scholarship is awarded to the Grand Prize winner. This scholarship can be used to offset travel costs if the winner attends the International Space Development Conference (ISDC) to present their project.
Certificate
Certificate of Participation & Merit
All contestants whose entries meet minimum requirements will receive a Certificate of Participation. First, Second, Third place, and Honorable Mention winners will be awarded Certificates of Merit from the National Space Society.
Opens doors to
Winning or receiving an honorable mention can provide a significant advantage in college applications, especially for STEM programs. The skills developed and recognition gained are highly valued by admissions committees. The scholarship can directly support higher education expenses.
Career pathways
Participation significantly enhances a student's profile for admissions to top universities and future careers in aerospace engineering, astrobiology, space architecture, sustainable agriculture, environmental science, and various STEM fields, including space agencies (like ISRO, NASA), private space companies, and research institutions.
Recognition
International Recognition from NSS
Skills your child builds
Highlights
- Focus on a specific component of space settlement: agricultural module.
- Encourages interdisciplinary participation from various academic backgrounds.
- Associated with the prestigious NSS Gerard K. O'Neill Space Settlement Contest.
- Offers a significant scholarship for the Grand Prize winner.
Rounds & format
Participants submit a comprehensive design project including an Executive Summary and a Main Paper.
How entries are judged
Projects are evaluated based on scientific accuracy, engineering feasibility, innovation, and adherence to submission guidelines. The concept is more important than professional-looking artwork.
Selection process
Entries are judged based on the quality and originality of the design, scientific rigor, and practical application of concepts for space agriculture and healthy living.
How to apply
- 1Online registration through the National Space Society website.
- 2Submission of the design project, including an Executive Summary and Main Paper, via the online portal.
- 3Payment of a $15 USD registration fee, with fee waivers available for hardship cases upon request.
How to prepare
- NSS website guidelines and resources.
- Research on space agriculture, hydroponics, aeroponics, and closed-loop life support systems.
- Information on human nutritional needs in space.
- Concepts of space settlement design and infrastructure.
Fees & financial support
Fee details
A $15 USD registration fee is collected per entry. Fee waivers are available for students facing financial hardship; applicants should inquire about the waiver process during registration.
Financial support
A $2500 scholarship is awarded to the Grand Prize winner. This scholarship is intended to support the winner's educational pursuits and can help cover expenses for attending the International Space Development Conference (ISDC).
Refund policy
Details regarding refund policy for the registration fee are typically outlined in the official competition guidelines on the NSS website. It is advisable to check the latest guidelines for specific information.
Frequently asked questions
Is NSS "Live in a Healthy Space" Design Competition free?
$15 registration
Who can participate in NSS "Live in a Healthy Space" Design Competition?
Students in Class 6–12. children aged 12-18.
What will my child gain from NSS "Live in a Healthy Space" Design Competition?
Opportunity to win a $2500 scholarship for the Grand Prize winner.. Receive certificates of participation and merit from the National Space Society.. Gain national and international recognition for innovative design solutions.. Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills in space science.. Explore interdisciplinary STEAM topics relevant to future space exploration.. Potential for project integration into the NSS Gerard K. O'Neill Space Settlement Contest.. Connect with a global community of students and experts passionate about space.. Enhance academic profile for higher education and career prospects in STEM.. Opportunity to present at the International Space Development Conference (ISDC)..
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