Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), the Moonshot Museum, Astrobotic, and the Readiness Institute at Penn State today announced the winners of the Moonshot Poster Contest for students in grades 3-12 to celebrate America’s return to the moon this year, an achievement powered by Pennsylvanians.
“Pennsylvania is making history with the launch of the Peregrine Lunar Lander, and the Moonshot Poster Contest winners will forever be a part of this momentous achievement,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “The fantastic student artwork entered in this contest demonstrates how art and science can work in tandem to inspire students to learn, grow, and achieve.”
Photos of the winning entries can be found on PDE's website.
State Award Winners:
- 1st Place Elementary School – Autumn Hollister (4th Grade, North Pocono Intermediate School)
Grand Prize Winner & Spirit of Enterprise Award - 1st Place Middle School – Enzo Reilsono (6th Grade, Moon Area Middle School)
Pennsylvania Pride Award - 1st Place High School – Laura Gula (10th Grade, Lower Dauphin High School)
Artistic Expression Award - 1st Place Western Region – Sophia Baker (3rd Grade, Grandview Elementary School)
Inspiring the Future Award - 1st Place Central Region – Vedika Burman (3rd Grade, Central Dauphin Cyber Academy)
Science Storytelling Award - 1st Place Eastern Region – Rachel Feng (5th Grade, Liberty Valley Intermediate School)
Cosmic Creativity Award
Artistic Merit Award Winners:
- Theodore Bangay (3rd Grade, Bradford Woods Elementary)
- Isabella Cortese (5th Grade, Stewart Elementary School)
- Mia Frantz (9th Grade, Northeastern High School)
“Congratulations to every young artist who looked to the Moon as a cosmic canvas and created inspiring space art,” said Mike Hennessy, Manager of Learning & Programs, Moonshot Museum. “It was incredible to see so many vibrant posters illustrating the history-making voyage of Pennsylvania’s Peregrine spacecraft. To every student who participated, we celebrate you as the next generation of Pennsylvanians who will lead us to the Moon and beyond. Keep looking up!”
The Moonshot Poster Contest combines STEM education and the arts in a new way to celebrate the upcoming launch of Astrobotic’s Peregrine Lunar Lander. On May 4, Peregrine will deliver more than two dozen payloads to the lunar surface, including scientific instruments from three national space agencies–including 11 from NASA alone–a rover from Carnegie Mellon University, Hope Moonshot project from Penn State Outreach, several payloads from commercial companies, and cultural messages from individuals around the Earth.
“We were over the moon with the submissions and so proud of all of the contestants. We are excited to see so many learners engaged in STEAM and space exploration,” said Justin W. Aglio, Ed.D., Associate Vice President, Outreach and Executive Director, Readiness Institute. “Overall, the future of Pennsylvania is bright!”
A panel of judges from across the STEAM disciplines in Pennsylvania—including art and science educators and space industry professionals—judged the more than 200 submissions received from students across the state. The six State Award Winners will receive a VIP Tour at Astrobotic Headquarters in Pittsburgh, a certificate, and a mission patch, and the three Merit Award winners will receive a certificate and a mission patch. All contest submissions will be included in a digital payload on the next mission to the moon.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Education, please visit the website or follow PDE on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Pinterest.
MEDIA CONTACT: Casey Smith, casesmith@pa.gov
# # #