Students aid NASA's plant growth research in space

Students aid NASA's plant growth research in space
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 29, 2024

Since 2015, students from across the United States have been collaborating with NASA scientists to push forward essential research into growing plants in space as part of the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's Growing Beyond Earth project. This unique initiative, now in its ninth year, is designed to support NASA's long-term goal of cultivating crops that can sustain astronauts on deep-space missions, such as those planned for Mars. Growing Beyond Earth leverages the enthusiasm and energy of 6th-12th grade students, turning their classrooms into science labs where they engage in real-world plant growth experiments that simulate the challenges and conditions of space agriculture.

Inspired by the needs of future space travelers, Growing Beyond Earth has evolved into one of the largest student-led citizen science projects, with over 8,000 students from more than 400 schools nationwide participating this year alone. These students work with a variety of edible plant species, assessing which might thrive in controlled environments like those aboard the International Space Station (ISS). They conduct experiments in plant habitats designed by Fairchild to mimic the Vegetable Production System, or VEGGIE, NASA's first fresh-food growth experiment on the ISS. VEGGIE has already paved the way for cultivating crops in space, with astronauts successfully growing lettuce, radishes, and other crops aboard the station.

This year's classroom experiments cover a diverse range of scientific inquiries: testing edible plant varieties suitable for space growth, assessing the effects of radiation on plant development, optimizing light spectra to maximize growth and size - especially in radishes, a favorite for their fast growth cycle - and experimenting with soil alternatives that might substitute Earth soil for crops grown in space environments. The students' findings provide NASA with critical data on plant resilience and adaptability in space-like conditions, which are essential to understanding how astronauts may be able to grow fresh food on future missions far from Earth.

NASA's citizen science initiatives, including Growing Beyond Earth, are open to everyone globally, welcoming contributions from individuals outside the United States as well. These projects are built on partnerships between professional scientists and the general public, allowing volunteers to participate in meaningful research activities that expand scientific knowledge. These citizen scientists have already made thousands of significant discoveries across numerous fields. For example, over 450 NASA citizen scientists have been recognized as co-authors on peer-reviewed scientific papers. By involving citizens in hands-on science, NASA fosters a collaborative approach to discovery, broadening the scope of its research efforts and enhancing scientific understanding on a global scale. Those interested in joining NASA's citizen science projects can learn more at https://science.nasa.gov/citizen-science/.

The Growing Beyond Earth initiative is funded by NASA under cooperative agreement award number 80NSSC22MO125 and is a component of NASA's Science Activation Portfolio. This portfolio is dedicated to connecting NASA's scientific expertise with communities, enabling leaders to facilitate science experiences that inspire curiosity and promote a deeper understanding of both our planet and the cosmos. NASA's Science Activation programs aim to bring real-world scientific data and experiences into classrooms and communities, bridging the gap between professional scientists and the public. To find out more about how Science Activation is building these connections, visit https://science.nasa.gov/learn.