Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By CNA Daily News - US (Reporter)
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

Virginia Catholic school among 2 middle schools in world picked for NASA rover challenge

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


The Human Exploration Rover Challenge team at St. Mary’s Catholic School in the Diocese of Richmond. / Credit: Peter Tlusty

CNA Staff, Oct 23, 2024 / 06:00 am (CNA).

A Catholic middle school in the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia, is one of just two middle schools in the world chosen to compete in a prominent NASA engineering challenge. 

NASA announced earlier this month the teams of students it had picked to participate in this year’s Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC). Middle schoolers at St. Mary’s Catholic School in the Richmond Diocese were selected to participate; the other is Jesco von Puttkamer School in Leipzig, Germany.

The program “aims to put competitors in the mindset of NASA’s Artemis campaign as they pitch an engineering design for a lunar terrain vehicle which simulates astronauts piloting a vehicle, exploring the lunar surface while overcoming various obstacles,” according to NASA. The Artemis program will in 2026 put human beings back on the lunar surface for the first time since 1972. 

All told, students from 35 colleges and universities, 38 high schools, and two middle schools were chosen by NASA; the teams hail from “20 states, Puerto Rico, and 16 other nations from around the world,” NASA said. 

Among the other competitors is Pontifical Catholic University in Lima, Peru, as well as the Catholic University of Bolivia and the Catholic University of Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo.

Students at St. Mary's Catholic School in the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia, pose show off a prototype model for NASA's Human Exploration Rover Challenge. Credit: Peter Tlusty
Students at St. Mary’s Catholic School in the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia, pose show off a prototype model for NASA’s Human Exploration Rover Challenge. Credit: Peter Tlusty

This is the 31st annual HERC program and the first time the challenge has been open to middle schoolers. The program has historically consisted of students crafting full-scale operational mock-ups of rovers; this year, for the first time, NASA introduced a remote-controlled division.

Both middle schools are competing in the remote division, as are several high school and college teams. The remote teams will “work to solve complex scientific tasks with a purpose-built vehicle,” NASA said.

Peter Tlusty, an IB MYP design and technology teacher at the Richmond school, said the 28 students in the program will have to engage in numerous problem-solving and logistical challenges as part of the program in addition to designing the rover itself. 

“They have to come up with a budget. They have to do fundraisings. They have to have a media presence — Facebook and stuff like that,” he said. 

Students will eventually take their rover down to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, to test it out on an obstacle course that mimics both the lunar and Martian surfaces. 

Tlusty said the team will rigorously test the rover on a series of makeshift environments in Richmond before traveling to Alabama. 

“We’re going to reach out to a couple of the landscaping places around Richmond and see if they’ll let us bring our rover out to their sand piles,” he said. The team may also seek donations from local landscaping outfits to create a mock-up course on campus. 

A concept drawing of the Human Exploration Rover Challenge rover design at St. Mary's Catholic School in the Diocese of Richmond. Credit: Peter Tlusty
A concept drawing of the Human Exploration Rover Challenge rover design at St. Mary’s Catholic School in the Diocese of Richmond. Credit: Peter Tlusty

The competition can contribute greatly to a student’s academic success, Tlusty said. 

“One of the first things kids ask is, ‘What do we get if we win?’” Tlusty said with a laugh. “Well, for one, it looks great on your résumé.” 

“I tell the kids: This puts you a notch above in competitions for scholarships,” he said. “And it looks good on a college application too.”

Tlusty said it’s a considerable distinction to be chosen for the program. 

“Last year the number of HERC applications was a record,” he said. “And this year the applications were up 40%. This is a competitive challenge people apply for.” 

“It’s amazing to be included,” he continued. “When I saw they only picked two middle school teams, I was astonished. It’s quite the honor.”


Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260011/virginia-catholic-school-among-two-middle-schools-in-world-picked-for-nasa-rover-challenge


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

Comments

Your Comments
Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

MOST RECENT
Load more ...

SignUp

Login

Newsletter

Email this story
Email this story

If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.