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Somerset Academy Charter High School Students Accept NASA Coding Challenge

Somerset Academy Charter High School Students Accept NASA Coding Challenge

Homestead - Students from Somerset Academy Charter High School in Homestead are embarking on a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) journey this school year by participating in NASA’s App Development Challenge (ADC). The ADC, one of eight Artemis Student Challenges, is a coding challenge presenting students with technical problems seeking their contributions to deep space exploration missions.

The ADC is a part of the NASA Office of STEM Engagement Next Gen STEM Project and is led out of Johnson Space Center in Houston. This year’s challenge asks student teams to research and design a computer application to visualize Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA's path to establishing a long-term presence at the Moon for science and exploration through Artemis. The challenge is created in collaboration with NASA’s Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) team to support upcoming mission planning and training activities.

SCaN serves as the program office for all of NASA’s space communications activities, presently enabling the success of more than 100 NASA and non-NASA missions. SCaN manages the Near Space Network (NSN) and the Deep Space Network (DSN), ensuring the availability and allocation of the radiofrequency spectrum for all NASA programs. Additionally, SCaN supports the research and development of cutting-edge space communications technologies, such as optical and quantum communications, and is responsible for developing an integrated space communications and navigation architecture to support science and human exploration programs through 2040.

Throughout the 10-week challenge, occurring Oct. 2-Dec. 11, 2024, students will have the opportunity to engage with NASA coders and engineers through four live virtual events and weekly office hours. NASA scientists and engineers will review student video submissions and interview selected teams. Following interviews, top teams will be selected for a multiday culminating event at Johnson.

By accepting the ADC challenge, these Artemis Generation students from Somerset Academy Charter High School are participating in NASA’s endeavors to land the first woman and first person of color on the surface of the Moon.

For additional information about the App Development Challenge visit their website:

www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/app-development-challenge/

For more on NASA’s Next Gen STEM, visit their website:

www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/for-educators/

For more information about NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) visit their website:

www.nasa.gov/directorates/space-operations/space-communications-and-navigation-scan-program/

For updates on social media, follow: #NASA_ADC