May 11th, 2017

Genes in Space Awards - Part 1

The 2017 US Genes in Space contest received 375 submission from nearly 850 students in grades 7 to 12 from across the US.  We were thrilled by the caliber of the proposals and excited by the creativity of these space DNA pioneers.  

Each of the winning teams will receive a miniPCR DNA Discovery System™ for their educational institution, enabling them to share their passion for DNA science with their entire classroom.  This complete biotechnology toolkit includes the same DNA technology that is now in use aboard the International Space Station. 

Today we announce the 10 Honorable Mentions and 5 Constellation Awards. Stay tuned for the announcement of the Finalists and Junior Scientist Awards on Tuesday, May 16th. 

Honorable Mentions

Ten Honorable Mentions are presented to teams whose proposals display remarkable scientific rigor and creativity.

  • Emmanuel A. Correia-Villamizar (18) and Roberto Rodriguez-Otero (17) from Arecibo Observatory Space Academy, Puerto Rico
  • Fiona Dunn (15) from Winsor School, Massachusetts
  • Catherine McNamara (17), Corey Schultz (17), and David Yu (16) from Bergen County Technical High School, Teterboro Campus, New Jersey
  • Naomi Zheng (16) and Rachel Lu (16) from Bergen County Technical High School, Teterboro Campus, New Jersey
  • Asha Karmen-Chan (15), Jasmine Hyman (16), and Albert Jurkowski (16) from Institute for Collaborative Education, New York
  • Kai Hin Lui (16) from Stuyvesant High School, New York
  • Gloria Das (16), Alena Blaise (17) and Kuan Cao (17) from The Bronx High School of Science, New York
  • Ashley Phillips (18), Samantha Li (17), and Jessica Lu (17) from The Bronx High School of Science, New York
  • Jennifer Pearson (18) from The Shoulders of Giants, Inc, Texas
  • Joseph Garza (15), Lina Al-Shakarchi (15), Addison Correll (16), and Ethan Savell (16) from Design and Technology Academy, Texas 

Constellation Awards 

The Constellation Award celebrates an educational institution’s collective enthusiasm for science and space. Five US educational institutions (one in each major geographic region) with the highest number of submissions. 

  • Southeast – Tennessee Christian Preparatory School in Tennessee
  • Southwest – Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan in Texas
  • West – Lutheran High School of Orange County in California
  • Midwest – miRcore in Michigan
  • Northeast – The Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences in New York

Congratulations to all Genes in Space Awardees from the Genes in Space Team! 

2017 logos
Posted in Awards, Genes in Space 2017.