TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Chiles High School team is the winner of the 2013 Florida Student Astronaut Challenge, according to state education officials.
The challenge was hosted on March 8-10 by the Florida Department of Education, Florida State University Schools, NASA, Flightline Group, Inc., Coaxis International, and the Tallahassee Automobile Museum. High school students from across the state participated in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics or STEM-focused competition designed to test their knowledge of space-shuttle operations, engineering, launch, orbit, and landing of the Space Shuttle “Enterprise” flight simulator.
"This program provides an excellent opportunity to recognize the talents of STEM students across the state," said Public Schools Chancellor Pam Stewart. "As a former high school principal, I know how students and their teachers welcome challenges that call for extraordinary creativity, effort, and team work. Setting the bar high for our students in STEM programs will help Florida's students compete for jobs in the 21st century."
The competition was held for the first time in 2012. This year, officials received 350 percent more team applications. Nearly 200 students from 30 schools competed in the regional qualifier. That number was whittled down to six teams who competed for this year's top spot.
Each of the six teams received tickets to Universal Studios-Orlando and an invitation to tour the Kennedy Space Center and meet an astronaut. In addition, Chiles High School received special recognition and medals at Sunday’s awards ceremony and an automatic entry into next year’s competition.
For more information about the competition, visit Student Astronaut Challenge.
