iLEAD Student Aerospace Projects

04/23/2026

Calling all iLEAD network 8th-12th graders!

Team Mycotecture’s experiment has been selected for launch to the International Space Station on NASA's SpaceX CRS-35 scheduled for August 15, 2026, and we need your help! Sending an experiment to space takes a lot of work, and we need a team. We seek highly motivated, hardworking teammates to help us get this experiment to space.

🚀 This program requires around 1-2 hours (or more) of work per week.
🚀 Must be available on Zoom on Thursdays at 4:00 PM.
🚀 Spots on our team are limited. If you are interested in joining our launch team to send mycotecture to space, apply by May 1.
🚀 Please note that a letter of recommendation is required in the application. The letter should address the learner’s character, work ethic and any other information that would be helpful.

APPLY BY MAY 1: https://tinyurl.com/ms82ruxu

Team Mycotecture looks forward to hearing from you!

04/23/2026

Calling all iLEAD network 4th-7th graders!

Team Medicago sativa (Alfalfa)’s experiment has been selected for launch to the International Space Station on NASA's SpaceX CRS-35 scheduled for August 15, 2026, and we need your help! Sending an experiment to space takes a lot of work, and we need a team. We seek highly motivated, hardworking teammates to help us get this experiment to space.
​
🌟 This program requires around 1-2 hours (or more) of work per week.
🌟 Must be available on Zoom on Thursdays at 4:00 PM.
🌟 Spots on our team are limited. If you are interested in joining our launch team to send alfalfa to space, apply by May 1.​
🌟 Please note that a letter of recommendation is required in the application. The letter should address the learner’s character, work ethic and any other information that would be helpful.

Apply now: https://tinyurl.com/2v4rkh4p

Team Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) looks forward to hearing from you!

04/22/2026

🚀 We are pleased to announce the selected teams for the iLEAD California DreamUp to Space 4th-7th Grade and 8th-12th Grade Experiment Design Challenges!

Congratulations to the 4th-7th Grade Selected Team

🧪 Team Medicago sativa (Alfalfa)
School:
Member: Annmarie E.
Grade: 7th
Question: What is the impact of microgravity on the germination of the variants UCAL2250, Ameristand 901TS, and Sholty of Medicago sativa?

Congratulations to the 8th-12th Grade Selected Team

🧪 Team Mycotecture
School:
Members: William T. and Teagan K.
Grades: 9th and 10th
Question: How does microgravity affect the structural integrity of mycelium-based biocomposite materials?

Congratulations again to all of iLEAD California's 25-26 4th-7th grade finalists and 8th-12th grade finalists. We are so proud of your hard work!

04/20/2026

🎨🚀 The DreamUp to Space Artwork Design Challenge is now open!

Calling all learners in all grades! Get ready to launch your creativity into space with the DreamUp to Space Mission Patch Artwork Design Challenge 25-26!

Imagine your artwork traveling to the International Space Station and orbiting Earth! This is your chance to be part of a real space mission.

Here's the mission:

🎨 Design must be created by a learner from a participating school.
🎨 Each learner can submit 1 design.
🎨 Design must be no larger than 3 in. x 3 in.
🎨 Design may include the iLEAD logo but may not share likeness to any other brand logo (e.g. NASA, SpaceX).
🎨 Design must be scannable, can be hand-drawn or digitally created.
🎨 Design must be school-appropriate.
🎨 Design must be submitted by May 15, 2026.

Further guidance: https://tinyurl.com/hhxjuyd3

Ready to launch your masterpiece? Submit your design here by May 15: https://forms.gle/pzPNMSnxDCNkpBN5A

Empower Generations High School, iLEAD Agua Dulce, ILEAD Antelope Valley Exploration , iLEAD Antelope Valley, iLEAD Exploration, iLEAD Lancaster, iLEAD Online

04/13/2026

📢 We are pleased to announce the finalists in the iLEAD California 8th-12th grade to Space Experiment Design Challenge Mission 25-26! 🧪🚀

🧪Team Mycotecture
School: iLEAD Exploration
Members: William T. and Teagan K.
Grades: 9th and 10th
Question: How does microgravity affect the structural integrity of mycelium-based biocomposite materials?

🧪Team Epipremnum aureum (Golden Pothos)
School: SCVi
Members: Rayleigh N., Elise M., Armelle A.
Grade: 8th
Question: What are the effects of microgravity on the growth of Epipremnum aureum (Golden Pothos)?

🧪Team Zea mays (Corn)
School: SCVi
Members: Macsen R., Deena A., Makayla D., Star B.
Grade: 10th
Question: What is the effect of microgravity on the germination of Zea mays (corn)?

FAQs

🚀 Q: What is a finalist?
A: A finalist is an experiment proposal author whose work demonstrates exceptional rigor and effort, placing them among the top three submissions in the design challenge.

🚀 Q: What are the next steps in the selection process?
A: Proposals will be submitted to a panel of aerospace assessors for review. The assessors make experiment selection recommendations.

👩🏾‍🚀 The team selected for launch will be announced on April 22 . Stay tuned!

04/13/2026

📢 We are pleased to announce the finalists in the iLEAD California 4th-7th Grade to Space Experiment Design Challenge Mission 25-26! 🧪🚀

🧪Team Medicago sativa (Alfalfa)
School: iLEAD Exploration
Member: Annmarie E.
Grade: 7th
Question: What is the impact of microgravity on the germination of the variants UCAL2250, Ameristand 901TS, and Sholty of Medicago sativa?

🧪Team Eruca sativa (Arugula)
School: iLEAD Exploration
Member: Liam W.
Grade: 4th
Question: What is the effect of microgravity on Eruca sativa (arugula), and how will it germinate in space?

🧪Team Midori max (Soybean)
School: iLEAD Exploration
Member: Katelyn E.
Grade: 5th
Question: What is the effect of microgravity on the germination of Midori max (soybean) using hydroponics?

🧪Team Fragaria x ananassa (Strawberry)
School Program: SCVi Exploration
Member: Grace H.
Grade: 4th
Question: What is the effect of microgravity on the germination of Fragaria x ananassa “Eversweet” strawberry seeds?

🧪Team Laetiporus mycelium (Chicken of the Woods)
School: iLEAD Exploration
Member: Maximillian T.
Question: What is the effect of microgravity on the growth of Laetiporus mycelium (Chicken of the Woods)?

🧪Team Mentha X piperita (Peppermint)
Member: iLEAD Exploration's Leah W.
Grade: 4
Question: How will microgravity affect the germination of Mentha X piperita (peppermint)?

🧪Team Salvia hispanica (Chia)
School: iLEAD Agua Dulce
Members: Audryanna, Jasmin, Kenneth, Quinn, Ian
Grade: 7th
Question: What is the effect of microgravity on the germination of Salvia hispanica (chia)?

FAQs

🚀 Q: What is a finalist?
A: A finalist is an experiment proposal author whose work demonstrates exceptional rigor and effort, placing them among the top seven submissions in the design challenge.

🚀 Q: What are the next steps in the selection process?
A: Proposals will be submitted to a panel of aerospace assessors for review. The assessors make experiment selection recommendations.

👩🏾‍🚀 The teams selected for launch for each challenge will be announced on April 22. Stay tuned!

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