Escambia High Students Win NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge

August 23, 2020

A team from Escambia High School won the high school division for the  best design in the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge.

While NASA is preparing to send the first woman and next man to the surface of the Moon in 2024 with the Artemis program, the next generation of explorers, engineers, scientists, and spaceflight professionals are sharpening their skills to help the agency establish a permanent presence on the Moon and send the first humans to Mars.

The agency announced the winners of the 2020 NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge during a virtual awards ceremony.

The Human Exploration Rover Challenge team from Escambia High School won the high school division AIAA Neil Armstrong Best Design Award, which recognizes the team that best designed their rover to take on the punishing Rover Challenge course, making maximum use of resources and ingenuity. The award is presented in the name of the late NASA astronaut Neil Armstrong.

“This year, we had 111 teams from 27 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and 11 other countries,” said Julie Clift, program manager for the challenge at Marshall. “The teams pushed the limits this year, designing and building truly innovative rovers to take on the challenging course. Although we are disappointed we had to cancel the on-site activities, we are thrilled we are able to recognize and celebrate the teams’ hard work and creativity.”

The competition is one of seven NASA Artemis Student Challenges the agency hosts to engage and inspire the Artemis Generation. It is sponsored by NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate and Office of STEM Engagement Next Gen STEM in Washington; and managed by Marshall’s Office of STEM Engagement.

The challenge was launched in 1994 as the NASA Great Moonbuggy Race to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. Just six college teams participated that first year. Expanded in 1996 to include high school teams, the race evolved again in 2014 into the Human Exploration Rover Challenge. Since the challenge’s inception, more than 12,000 students have participated.

Photo: Escambia High School for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

6 Responses to “Escambia High Students Win NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge”

  1. William Reynolds on August 23rd, 2020 6:56 pm

    “But it worries me that none of the students are in masks and they are standing pretty close to each other.”

    Bet they know. They are not rocket scientists or anything….oh wait, they practically are! Seriously though, that picture would have been taken months ago as they rover was built while school was in session. The pandemic had not happened yet.

  2. Emily on August 23rd, 2020 5:32 pm

    That’s an outstanding achievement. But it worries me that none of the students are in masks and they are standing pretty close to each other. I’m not blaming them or anything like that. It’s just a stressful time and I worry about the children who are going to be back in school. I hope that they will remain safe and keep viligant with masks and hand washing. Congratulations

  3. Kevin on August 23rd, 2020 1:11 pm

    Very cool!! Great job to the team at Escambia High School

  4. Pam Simmons on August 23rd, 2020 9:16 am

    Amazing job, Escambia High School!! Congratulations to all involved!!

  5. Willis on August 23rd, 2020 8:35 am

    Congratulations Team Escambia !!!
    Outstanding!!!

  6. misstrish on August 23rd, 2020 6:24 am

    What an awesome and inspiring achievement! Congratulations and well done, team!!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News