Design Challenge Showcase Final Results Announced
The Spring 2025 Design Challenge Showcase wrapped up last week and TSGC couldn’t be more proud of the 22 student teams that presented their NASA-based research projects! To learn more about the student teams, click here to go to the Spring 2025 Teams page.
After two days of poster sessions, oral presentations, peer reviews, talks given by NASA’s Dr. Kam Lulla and Dr. Judith Hayes, and speaking with NASA judges, the following student teams were awarded for their projects:
BEST POSTER
- RELLIS Rovers – Tarleton State University
- The Backyardigans – University of Houston Clear Lake
- Pleiades – Texas Woman’s University
- Sidekick – The University of Texas at Austin
BEST MODEL AND DISPLAY
- Interstellar Corporation, Texas A&M Kingsville
- Lights, Camera, Bobcats!, Texas State University
- RELLIS Rovers, Tarleton State University
- The Backyardigans, University of Houston Clear Lake
BEST ORAL PRESENTATION
- Pleiades, Texas Woman’s University
- Hyperion, Lone Star College
- Effectively Grounded!, Texas State University
- The Backyardigans, University of Houston Clear Lake
TOP PEER REVIEW
- Hyperion, Lone Star College
- Lights, Camera, Bobcats!, Texas State University
- Sidekick, The University of Texas at Austin
- RELLIS Rovers, Tarleton State University
Top Design Team students will also receive a scholarship for their placements. The top design teams were computed by combining scores from the Best Poster, Best Model and Display, and Top Peer Review.
TOP DESIGN TEAM
- RELLIS Rovers, Tarleton State University
- Pleiades, Texas Woman’s University
- The Backyardigans, University of Houston Clear Lake
- Hyperion, Lone Star College
Congratulations to all the students who participated in this year’s Design Challenge Showcase. We want to give a big thank you to the judges, faculty, and our NASA guest speakers Dr. Kam Lulla and Dr. Judith Hayes. Thank you for your support of Design Challenge – we’ll see you in the Fall!
Dragonfly Student and Early Career Investigator Program
Set to launch in 2028, NASA’s Dragonfly mission will send a rotorcraft lander to explore a variety of locations on Saturn’s moon Titan. Graduate students are invited to apply for a two-year term to work with Dragonfly mission team members to conduct Titan research, help formulate Dragonfly mission science and operations plans, or assist in the development of instrumentation, hardware, or testing.
Applications close on June 9.
Virtual Career Connections: Space Welders
Learn about space welding and how NASA and its partners are using high energy density welding — not just for space but in space. Hear about the physical processes of welding on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Learn how NASA, universities, and industry are working together to investigate laser beam welding in reduced gravity, in vacuum, and at extreme temperatures similar to that found in space.
Students will have an opportunity to talk with subject matter experts and ask questions following their presentation. Events like this are vital to attracting the next generation of STEM professionals who will continue the nation’s legacy of exploration and discovery.
Registration ends on April 24.
NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellowships Applications Open
The NASA Postdoctoral Program offers early career and senior scientists fellowships with NASA scientists and engineers. Opportunities relate to missions in Earth science, heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics, space bioscience, aeronautics, engineering, human exploration and space operations, astrobiology, and science management. Applicants must have completed a doctorate or an equivalent degree before beginning the fellowship, but they may apply while completing degree requirements.
Applications close on July 1.
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