AWARDS

10 Honorable Mentions

   For teams whose proposals display remarkable scientific rigor and creativity

5 Junior Scientist Awards 

    For middle school students in grades 7-8

5 Constellation Awards 

    For the school with the highest number of submissions from each of the five US regions

5 Genes in Space Finalists

    Receive mentoring from scientists from Harvard and MIT

    Present proposals to a Genes in Space judges for a chance to win

1 Genes in Space National Winner

    Participate in Space Biology Camp to prepare experiment for space travel

    Travel to Kennedy Space Center to see the launch

    Launch your DNA experiment to space!

All awardees will receive a miniPCR DNA Discovery System™  for their schools or educational institutions. This is the same DNA analysis technology aboard the ISS! 

Your submission will be judged by a panel of scientists and thought leaders on the creative and scientific merit of your experimental idea

Scoring criteria:

Submissions are reviewed blindly by a panel of Ph.D.-trained scientists and experienced space technologists. Your application will be scored on the creative and scientific merit of your experimental idea.

• i. Have you identified an interesting question? 25 points
• ii. Have you stated a clear hypothesis? 25 points
• iii. Does your hypothesis require the unique environment of the ISS? 30 points
• iv. Does your experimental design make creative use of PCR in space? 20 points