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One of NASA\u2019s primary missions is to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers to join the STEM field. It does so by producing inspirational and educational content on various platforms. But sometimes, it takes a more direct approach by rewarding students for their contributions to solving a particular problem NASA is facing. Recently, the organization announced such a challenge \u2013 the Power to Explore Challenge, which is open to submission from K-12 students until the end of January.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n This challenge is part of an ongoing series of challenges that NASA has released to encourage kids to utilize a radioisotope power system (commonly known as a radioisotope thermal generator\u2014or RTG) to enable future missions. Last year, the challenge involved coming up with a mission to a \u201cdark, dusty, or far away place\u201d where the benefits of RTGs, which don\u2019t rely on solar power, would be the most obvious.<\/p>\n A winner was then selected in three separate age categories, detailing missions to Enceladus (Rainie Lin from Kentucky), Tethys (Aadya Karthik from Washington), and Ariel (Thomas Liu from New Jersey). The three winners received a behind-the-scenes tour of the research facilities at NASA\u2019s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, where much of NASA\u2019s RTG research occurs.<\/p>\n \n