Three exceptional student teams from Cumberland Mills Elementary School, William H. Owen Elementary School and Seventy-First Classical Middle School represented Cumberland County Schools (CCS) at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, in February. The students presented their winning STARward STEM Design Challenge projects at the renowned venue, showcasing their ingenuity and dedication to STEM education.
Competing against more than 300 peers and 60 proposed spaceflight experiments, these teams earned the unique opportunity to have their submissions chosen for implementation by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
During the event, students presented their findings, shared lessons learned, proposed next steps and fielded questions from an engaged audience. They were joined by distinguished speakers, including educators, scientists and NASA astronaut Tony Antonelli.
While at the Kennedy Space Center, students deepened their inspiration for STEM fields by exploring current and ongoing NASA missions through up-close, hands-on activities and exhibits that told the story of human space exploration.
The spaceflight design challenge served as the culminating annual event of the STARward STEM program, a groundbreaking initiative developed through a three-year partnership between Cumberland County Schools and the Department of Defense. The program is dedicated to providing equitable access to high-quality STEM education opportunities for students across CCS.
“This opportunity underscored the incredible potential of our students and the power of providing access to STEM education,” said Dr. Lavette Braswell, assistant superintendent K-12 Instructional Programs. “We were proud to see their hard work recognized on such a prestigious stage.”
This incredible experience was made possible in part through the generous support of 2024 sponsors and community partners, whose commitment to education and student success continues to have a lasting impact.
For more information about the STARward STEM program and Cumberland County Schools’ commitment to STEM education, visit STARward STEM Homepage Cumberland County Schools.
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Interested in Supporting CCS' STARward STEM program?
You can play a vital role in making these opportunities possible by becoming part of our "STARward STEM Friends." Donations of any amount, from $1 to $999, help ensure that our students continue to have access to these incredible experiences.
How to Give:
Online:
Visit www.cumberlandcf.org to go directly to the fund.
By Mail:
Address: Cumberland Community Foundation, PO Box 2345, Fayetteville, NC 28302.
Make your check payable to “Cumberland Community Foundation.”
Include STARward STEM Fund” in the check’s memo line.
For sponsorship inquiries or more information, please contact Kathy Mathis at kathymathis@ccs.k12.nc.us or 910-292-5020.
Your support makes a tangible difference in the lives of our students and helps ensure that Cumberland County Schools continues to provide world-class opportunities to our future leaders. Thank you for considering this meaningful way to inspire the next generation.