(Norris, NE) Norris High School is proud to announce that a team of twelve students has been selected as winners of NASA’s esteemed TechRise Student Challenge. As one of only 60 winning teams nationwide, these talented students have earned the opportunity to design, build, and launch a cutting-edge scientific experiment as part of NASA’s commitment to inspiring innovation and STEM education.

Over the next 18 weeks, the Norris team will develop their experimental payload, which will undergo approximately four hours of flight at 70,000 feet. This remarkable journey will expose their experiment to Earth’s atmosphere, high-altitude radiation, and stunning views of the planet. The challenge provides students with hands-on experience in engineering, design, and data collection, all while contributing to advancements in science and technology.

The winning teams were selected from 720 entries across the nation by over 250 volunteer judges with expertise in engineering, space science, and Earth science. Proposals were evaluated based on originality, societal and educational impact, feasibility within the given timeframe and budget, and the quality of the build plan.

As a winner, the Norris team has been awarded $1,500 to procure equipment for their experiment, a specialized flight box for their payload, a reserved spot on the high-altitude flight vehicle, and technical guidance from NASA/TechRise engineering advisors throughout the build process.

The Norris team’s innovative experiment will explore the effects of high-altitude conditions on magnetic levitation. Using a custom-designed, 3D-printed container, the experiment will suspend two neodymium magnets in magnetic levitation. Sensors will monitor and measure how variables such as altitude, temperature, air pressure, and radiation influence the magnetic field and levitation stability during ascent and descent.

“Our goal is to investigate magnetic levitation as a potential alternative energy source for future space exploration,” the team shared. “This challenge provides us with a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge science and explore practical solutions for the next generation of space travel.”

This achievement not only highlights the students’ dedication and creativity but also underscores Norris High School’s commitment to fostering STEM excellence. Congratulations to the Norris team on this extraordinary accomplishment and for representing innovation and exploration at the highest level!

Norris High School Team Members

Cooper C., Lillie C.. Nolan G., Kennedy J., Ian L., Brayson P., Logan S., Elyza S., Bowen S., Brooke S., Madison W., Marcus W.