New Jersey Students Win NASA And USA TODAY Competition
WASHINGTON -- NASA and USA TODAY announced the winners of the 2010 No Boundaries National Competition. The winning student teams are from across the country and excel in the areas of science, technology,
engineering and math (STEM).
Students worked in small groups or individually to develop a project
that markets careers at NASA to teens. They selected one of the four
STEM disciplines and chose a career within that discipline. The
members of the group then researched that career from different
perspectives and developed an innovative project that showcased the
career and included each group member's work. Finally, the teams
presented their completed career research projects to a group of
their peers.
The 2010 winning entry was "Let's Get Materialistic" by the team of
Kristine Baltazar, Elka Chowdhury, Jenna DiRito, and Neil Montwani
from Saddle Brook Middle School in Saddle Brook, N.J. The team chose
to focus on materials engineering and won the competition with an
old-fashion styled black and white art portfolio.
"We strongly believe in the importance of providing opportunities
where students can learn about STEM careers by actual example," said
Alotta Taylor, manager for education in NASA's Space Operations
Mission Directorate. "Programs like 'No Boundaries' are instrumental
in making these careers come alive for students."
Honorable mentions include second place to Zoe Bentley, of the Sahuaro
Girl Scout Council in Tuscon, Ariz., for her "Exogeology ROCKS!" and
third place to Ronnel Boettcher and Cory Smith, of Enterprise High
School in Redding, Calif., for their "Astronomy: No Boundaries."
USA TODAY will present the first place winners with a $2,000 cash
prize and present second place winners with $1,000. The teacher or
sponsor of the winners will receive $500. NASA will provide the first
place winners with a VIP guest tour of the agency's Goddard Space
Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. Because of the exemplary efforts of
second place winner Zoe Bentley, NASA added a special VIP visit to
the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., to her award
package.
"We are very impressed by the efforts of all the entrants," said Jerry
Hartman, education lead for NASA's Exploration Systems Mission
Directorate. "By participating in 'No Boundaries,' these young men
and women are learning what it takes to be part of the next
generation of explorers."
No Boundaries is a joint initiative between NASA's Space Operations
and Exploration Systems Mission Directorates. NASA also partners with
USA TODAY Education. The program encourages students to explore STEM
careers through stimulating, project-based learning and team
competition. No Boundaries targets students in grades 7-12 and is
designed as a team-centered cooperative learning project.
For more information about NASA's education programs, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/education
For more information on No Boundaries, visit
http://www.noboundaries-
Source: NASA
