The US Department of Education announced the launch of the Your Place in Space Challenge. This is the first challenge of Momentum CTE series, a series of annual challenges to prepare high school students for rewarding careers and increase access to vocational and technical education (CTE). The Your Place in Space Challenge invites high schools to submit designs for a product or service that will aid space missions and exploration.
Teams can pursue designs of their choice or find inspiration in one of four suggested areas of exploration – covering topics such as space debris, the International Space Station, space travel and the environment . Submissions must be submitted by 6:00 p.m. ET on October 30, 2023. An independent judging panel will review submissions based on the Challenge selection criteria and recommend up to 10 winners, who will each receive at least $5,000. The Department plans to announce the winners and launch the next annual challenge in early 2024.
Helping students pursue careers in space
The space industry is expected to triple in size over the next 30 years, employing more than 1.5 million people and generating $780 billion in economic activity by 2050. From welders and cybersecurity experts to communication and botanists, careers in space promise above-average salaries and high expectations for growth over the next few decades. But careers in space require specialized skills – and students need new opportunities to learn skills to succeed in the future. CTE programs are uniquely positioned to meet these needs as they provide students with practical opportunities to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in the classroom.
“Our students need cross-disciplinary opportunities to learn the skills essential for meaningful careers – and our teachers deserve to be supported in creating these inspiring educational programs. Through the Your Place in Space Challenge, the U.S. Department of Education is helping students connect the skills they learn in CTE programs with fulfilling careers in the space industry.
— Dr. Amy Loyd, Assistant Secretary, Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education
Learn how to get involved
Start by exploring organized resources for inspiration on how to bring the Your Place in Space challenge to classrooms in the 2023-2024 school year. To learn more about the challenge and receive updates on all CTE Momentum challenges, visit YourPlaceinSpaceChallenge.com And subscribe to the series newsletter.