{"id":189163,"date":"2025-03-22T03:50:02","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T17:50:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/technology\/rps\/nasa-reveals-semifinalists-of-power-to-explore-challenge\/"},"modified":"2025-03-22T03:50:02","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T17:50:02","slug":"nasa-reveals-semifinalists-of-power-to-explore-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=189163","title":{"rendered":"NASA Reveals Semifinalists of Power to Explore Challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\">\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full 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href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/programs\/radioisotope-power-systems\/for-mission-planners\/\" rel=\"noopener\">For Mission Planners<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/programs\/radioisotope-power-systems\/contact\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Contact<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>RPS Systems<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\n<ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/programs\/radioisotope-power-systems\/overview\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Overview<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/power\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Power Systems<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/thermal\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Thermal Systems<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/programs\/radioisotope-power-systems\/dynamic-power\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Dynamic Radioisotope Power<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>Missions<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\n<ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/radioisotope-power-systems-missions\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Overview<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/programs\/radioisotope-power-systems\/radioisotope-power-systems-timeline\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Timeline<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/programs\/radioisotope-power-systems\/news\/\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/programs\/radioisotope-power-systems\/resources\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>STEM<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\n<ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/programs\/radioisotope-power-systems\/power-to-explore-stem-writing-challenge\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Power to Explore Contest<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/programs\/radioisotope-power-systems\/radioisotope-power-systems-faq\/\" rel=\"noopener\">FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"padding-top-5 padding-bottom-3 width-full maxw-full hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-article-intro\">\n<div class=\"width-full maxw-full article-header\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2 width-full maxw-full\">\n<p class=\"label carbon-60 margin-0 margin-bottom-3 padding-0\">4 min read<\/p>\n<h1 class=\"display-48 margin-bottom-2\">NASA Reveals Semifinalists of Power to Explore Challenge<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-wide\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/planetary-science-division\/radioisotope-power-systems\/power-to-explore-contest\/2025-power-to-explore\/2024-Power-to-Explore-WordCloud.jpg?w=3000&#038;h=1676&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"3000\" height=\"1676\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/planetary-science-division\/radioisotope-power-systems\/power-to-explore-contest\/2025-power-to-explore\/2024-Power-to-Explore-WordCloud.jpg?w=3000&#038;h=1676&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A collage of words that show the \u201csuperpowers\u201d of the 45 semifinalists, including words like resilience, persistence, communication, determination, and curiosity, to name a few.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/planetary-science-division\/radioisotope-power-systems\/power-to-explore-contest\/2025-power-to-explore\/2024-Power-to-Explore-WordCloud.jpg?w=3000&#038;h=1676&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 3000w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/planetary-science-division\/radioisotope-power-systems\/power-to-explore-contest\/2025-power-to-explore\/2024-Power-to-Explore-WordCloud.jpg?w=300&#038;h=168&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/planetary-science-division\/radioisotope-power-systems\/power-to-explore-contest\/2025-power-to-explore\/2024-Power-to-Explore-WordCloud.jpg?w=768&#038;h=429&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/planetary-science-division\/radioisotope-power-systems\/power-to-explore-contest\/2025-power-to-explore\/2024-Power-to-Explore-WordCloud.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=572&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/planetary-science-division\/radioisotope-power-systems\/power-to-explore-contest\/2025-power-to-explore\/2024-Power-to-Explore-WordCloud.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=858&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/planetary-science-division\/radioisotope-power-systems\/power-to-explore-contest\/2025-power-to-explore\/2024-Power-to-Explore-WordCloud.jpg?w=2048&#038;h=1144&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2048w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/planetary-science-division\/radioisotope-power-systems\/power-to-explore-contest\/2025-power-to-explore\/2024-Power-to-Explore-WordCloud.jpg?w=400&#038;h=223&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/planetary-science-division\/radioisotope-power-systems\/power-to-explore-contest\/2025-power-to-explore\/2024-Power-to-Explore-WordCloud.jpg?w=600&#038;h=335&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/planetary-science-division\/radioisotope-power-systems\/power-to-explore-contest\/2025-power-to-explore\/2024-Power-to-Explore-WordCloud.jpg?w=900&#038;h=503&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/planetary-science-division\/radioisotope-power-systems\/power-to-explore-contest\/2025-power-to-explore\/2024-Power-to-Explore-WordCloud.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=670&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/planetary-science-division\/radioisotope-power-systems\/power-to-explore-contest\/2025-power-to-explore\/2024-Power-to-Explore-WordCloud.jpg?w=2000&#038;h=1117&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3000px) 100vw, 3000px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">A word cloud showing \u201csuperpowers\u201d of the 45 semifinalists.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/David Lam<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>NASA selected 45 student essays as semifinalists of its 2024-2025 <a href=\"https:\/\/nasa.gov\/power-to-explore\" rel=\"noopener\">Power to Explore Challenge<\/a>, a national competition for K-12 students featuring the enabling power of radioisotopes. Contestants were challenged to explore how NASA has powered some of its most famous science missions and to dream up how their personal \u201csuperpower\u201d would energize their success on their own radioisotope-powered science mission to explore one of the nearly 300 moons of our solar system.<\/p>\n<p>The competition asked students to learn about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/rps\" rel=\"noopener\">radioisotope power systems<\/a> (RPS), a type of \u201cnuclear battery\u201d that NASA uses to explore the harshest, darkest, and dustiest parts of our solar system. RPS have enabled many spacecraft to explore a variety of these moons, some with active volcanoes, methane lakes, and intricate weather patterns similar to Earth. Many of these moons remain a mystery to us.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center padding-y-3 maxw-full width-full display-flex flex-align-center hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-blockquote\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block display-flex flex-column flex-justify-center padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:display-flex mobile:display-block\">\n<div class=\"blockquote-icon margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"tablet:square-4 square-4 margin-right-3\" version=\"1.1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 3000 3000\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 3000 3000;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"> <g> <path d=\"M586.7,1429.7c-10.7,1.5-21.4,2.8-33.9,4.5c6.9-26.6,12.7-50.7,19.5-74.6c32.4-114.1,78.5-222.2,146.8-319.5 c90.2-128.5,202.5-235.3,327.7-329.1c8.4-6.3,16.7-12.6,25.3-19.1c-66.3-105.1-131.5-208.6-197.3-313.1c-3.5,1.2-5.5,1.6-7.2,2.6 C714.4,469,576.1,575.7,456,705.3c-126,135.9-226.2,289.1-303,457.8c-98.8,217.1-151.3,444-147.2,683.3 c1.7,100.5,12.9,199.6,41.1,296.3C93.7,2303,182.2,2433,326.7,2520.1c176.9,106.7,366.8,126.8,563.4,70.5 c150.9-43.2,260.9-138.9,327.2-282.5c33.4-72.5,47.8-149.4,52-228.7c6.5-122.8-14.1-239.5-74.3-348.1 C1074.6,1514.5,832.7,1394.2,586.7,1429.7z\"><\/path><path d=\"M2912.5,1722c-129.9-210.9-320.2-309.4-567.9-296c-22.1,1.2-44,5.1-67.4,7.9c2.2-9.6,4-17.9,6.1-26.2 c37.9-153.6,99.3-296,198.8-420.5c77.8-97.4,167.1-182.9,265.8-258.8c15.6-12,31.3-23.9,47.9-36.5 c-66.2-105.1-131.9-209.2-197.2-312.8c-3.5,1.1-5.1,1.2-6.4,2c-167.2,95.6-316.1,213.7-443.2,358.8 c-105.1,119.9-191.1,252.3-259.5,396.3c-95.5,201-152.1,411.6-159.1,634.8c-3.9,125.5,4.8,249.7,40.1,371 c46.7,160.8,135.7,290.9,280.5,378.7c165.7,100.5,344.8,123,531.2,78.8c172.4-40.8,296.4-143.9,366.3-308.5 c28.5-67.2,40.6-138,44.6-210.5C3000.2,1953.3,2979.9,1831.4,2912.5,1722z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"blockquote-content\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n<h2 class=\"font-weight-extralight line-height-sm margin-top-0 section-heading-sm\"><span class=\"section-heading-sm\">This year\u2019s submissions to NASA\u2019s Power to Explore Challenge were immensely enthralling, and we\u2019re thrilled that the number of entries reached a record high.<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex\">\n<div class=\"blockquote-image hds-cover-wrapper margin-right-3\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/meatball-1041-jpg.webp?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;%23038;crop=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Carl Sandifer II\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/meatball-1041-jpg.webp?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/meatball-1041-jpg.webp?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/meatball-1041-jpg.webp?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/meatball-1041-jpg.webp?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/meatball-1041-jpg.webp?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/meatball-1041-jpg.webp?resize=400,400 400w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/meatball-1041-jpg.webp?resize=600,600 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-11\">\n<p class=\"blockquote-credit-name line-height-sm margin-0\">Carl Sandifer II<\/p>\n<p class=\"blockquote-credit-title line-height-sm padding-0 margin-0\">Program Manager, NASA Radioisotope Power Systems Program<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In 275 words or less, students wrote about a mission of their own that would use these space power systems to explore any moon in our solar system and described their own power to achieve their mission goals.<\/p>\n<p>The Power to Explore Challenge offered students the opportunity to learn more about these reliable power systems, celebrate their own strengths, and interact with NASA\u2019s diverse workforce. This year\u2019s contest set a record, receiving 2,051 submitted entries from all 50 states, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Overseas.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis year\u2019s submissions to NASA\u2019s Power to Explore Challenge were immensely enthralling, and we\u2019re thrilled that the number of entries reached a record high,\u201d said Carl Sandifer II, program manager of the Radioisotope Power Systems Program at NASA\u2019s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. \u201cIt was particularly interesting to see which moons the students selected for their individual essays, and the mysteries they hope to unravel. Their RPS-powered mission concepts always prove to be innovative, and it\u2019s a joy to learn about their \u2018superpowers\u2019 that exemplify their path forward as the next generation of explorers.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Entries were split into three categories: grades K-4, 5-8, and 9-12. Every student who submitted an entry received a digital certificate, and over 4,859 participants who signed up received an invitation to the Power Up with NASA virtual event. Students learned about what powers the NASA workforce utilizes to dream big and work together to explore. Speakers included Carl Sandifer II, Dr. Wanda Peters, NASA\u2019s deputy associate administrator for programs in the Science Mission Directorate and Dr. Zibi Turtle, principal investigator for <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/dragonfly\/\" rel=\"noopener\">NASA\u2019s Dragonfly mission<\/a> from the John Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.<\/p>\n<p>Fifteen national semifinalists in each grade category (45 semifinalists total) have been selected. These participants also will receive a NASA RPS prize pack. Finalists for this challenge will be announced on April 23.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Grades K-4<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Vihaan Akhoury, Roseland, NJ<\/li>\n<li>Ada Brolan, Somerville, MA<\/li>\n<li>Ashwin Cohen, Washington D.C<\/li>\n<li>Unnathi Chandra Devavarapu, San Marcos, CA<\/li>\n<li>Levi Fisher, Portland, OR<\/li>\n<li>Tamanna Ghosh, Orlando, FL<\/li>\n<li>Ava Goodison, Arnold, MD<\/li>\n<li>Anika Lal, Pflugerville, TX<\/li>\n<li>Diya Loganathan, Secaucus, NJ<\/li>\n<li>Mini M, Ann Arbor, MI<\/li>\n<li>Mark Porter, Temple Hills, MD<\/li>\n<li>Rohith Thiruppathy, Canton, MI<\/li>\n<li>Zachary Tolchin, Guilford CT<\/li>\n<li>Kavin Vairavan, West Windsor Township, NJ<\/li>\n<li>Terry Xu, Arcadia, CA<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Grades 5-8<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Chowdhury Wareesha Ali, Solon OH<\/li>\n<li>Caydin Brandes, Los Angeles, CA<\/li>\n<li>Caleb Braswell, Crestview, FL<\/li>\n<li>Lilah Coyan, Spokane, WA<\/li>\n<li>Ashwin Dhondi Kubeer, Phoenix, AZ<\/li>\n<li>Jonathan Gigi, Cypress, TX<\/li>\n<li>Gagan Girish, Portland, OR<\/li>\n<li>Maggie Hou, Snohomish, WA<\/li>\n<li>Sanjay Koripelli, Louisville, KY<\/li>\n<li>Isaiah Muniz, South Orange, NJ<\/li>\n<li>Sarabhesh Saravanakumar, Bothell, WA<\/li>\n<li>Eliya Schubert, Katonah, NY<\/li>\n<li>Gabriel Traska, Fort Woth, TX<\/li>\n<li>Jaxon Verbeck, Riggins, ID<\/li>\n<li>Krish Vinodhkumar, Monrovia, MD<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">G<strong>rades 9-12<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Samaria Berry, Kinder, LA<\/li>\n<li>David Cai, Saipan, MP<\/li>\n<li>Reggie Castro, Saipan, MP<\/li>\n<li>Ryan Danyow, Rutland City, VT<\/li>\n<li>Faiz Karim, Jericho, NY<\/li>\n<li>Sakethram Kuncha, Chantilly, VA<\/li>\n<li>Katerina Morin, Miami, FL<\/li>\n<li>Emilio Olivares, Edmond, OK<\/li>\n<li>Kairat Otorov, Trumbull, CT<\/li>\n<li>Dev Rai, Herndon, VA<\/li>\n<li>Shaurya Saxena, Irving, TX<\/li>\n<li>Saanvi Shah, Bothell, WA<\/li>\n<li>Niyant Sithamraju, San Ramon, CA<\/li>\n<li>Anna Swenson, Henderson, NV<\/li>\n<li>Alejandro Valdez, Orlando, FL<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>About the Challenge<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Power to Explore Student Challenge is funded by the NASA Science Mission Directorate\u2019s Radioisotope Power Systems Program Office and managed and administered by Future Engineers under the direction of the NASA Tournament Lab, a part of the Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing Program in NASA\u2019s Space Technology Mission Directorate.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:47px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p><strong><em>Kristin Jansen<br \/>NASA\u2019s Glenn Research Center<\/em><\/strong><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NASA has selected the 45 semifinalists of the Power to Explore Challenge, a national competition for K-12 students featuring the enabling power of radioisotopes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":1,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15641,15981,48,15982],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-189163","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-glenn-research-center","category-radioisotope-power-systems-rps","category-technology","category-technology-for-space-travel"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189163","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=189163"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189163\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":189865,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189163\/revisions\/189865"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=189163"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=189163"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=189163"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}