Mesa, AZ – This week, students from Red Mountain High School, Zaharis Elementary, and the STEM Institute at Red Mountain Ranch Elementary School witnessed an incredible milestone: their science experiment launched to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard SpaceX’s 31st Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission. This experiment is part of the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP), a unique educational initiative that brings real-world scientific research into classrooms across the United States and Canada.
Their project, titled The Growth and Mutation of Staphylococcus (epidermidis) Biofilm in Microgravity, investigates how the growth of biofilms, clusters of bacteria that thrive on surfaces, differs in the microgravity environment of space compared to Earth. By studying Staphylococcus epidermidis, a common and sometimes infectious bacterium, the students aim to shed light on potential ways to better protect astronauts from bacterial infections on long-term space missions.
This research effort, representing students from Grades 4, 5, 9, and 12, brings together young scientists from Mesa Public Schools, allowing students to apply scientific inquiry in a remarkable, hands-on way. Their experiment is one of 39 student-led projects from 38 communities taking part in this mission. The SSEP program, an ISS National Laboratory® educational partner, offers students invaluable experience with the scientific process, preparing them as future scientists, researchers, and engineers. The project has successfully docked at the International Space Station and testing on the experiment will begin on Nov. 11.
MPS has partnered with Honeywell Aerospace Technologies to bring real world experience to the classroom. Honeywell has provided volunteers to mentor project teams, judge the project down selection, and bring the guidance of industry professionals to the students every step of the way. Several students from the winning team, faculty members and Honeywell mentors had the extraordinary opportunity to travel to Cape Canaveral to witness the launch in person. The launch was an amazing conclusion to a year-long project and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all, made possible thanks to sponsorship from Honeywell, whose support ensured the students’ presence at the launch site and their experiment’s journey to space.
"We are incredibly proud of these students and their work," said Shane Bycott, STEM instructional coach at Red Mountain High School. "This project is not only a significant educational achievement but also an inspiring example of how young scientists can contribute to cutting-edge research with the potential for real-world applications in space exploration. It also showcases how students across grade levels can collaborate together."