NASA Competition for Student Projects about Space and a Prize of $5,000

The National Space Society invites students up to the 12^th grade from anywhere in the world to participate in the annual Space Settlement Contest for 2019. Contest categories are:

1. 7th grade and younger: individual, small group, large group,
2. 8th grade: individual, small group, large group
3. 9th grade: individual, small group, large group
4. 10th grade: individual, small group, large group
5. 11th grade: individual, small group, large group
6. 12th grade: individual, small group, large group
7. Additional categories based on artistic and literary merit are also included in the contest

Rules:

1. Individuals, small teams of two to five, and large teams of six to twelve are judged separately. No more than 12 students on a project
2. Students from outside of U.S. planning on attending the ISDC should apply as soon as possible for a passport and (if necessary) a visa. It may take some time (months) to acquire them
3. Submissions must relate to free space settlements. Settlements may not be on a planet or moon, although support activities such as mining may be. Settlements must be permanent homes, not temporary work camps. Submissions may focus on one or a few aspects of space settlement and supporting systems, including mines, activities leading up to settlement (such as space hotels), economic and social issues, etc.
4. Designs, original research, essays, stories, models, artwork or any other orbital space settlement related materials may be submitted
5. Submissions should not be longer than 50 pages unless it is essential to explain the work. The project must consist of 1-10 pdf or jpg files (usually just one). Each may be no larger than 24 MB
6. The submission must be the student's own work. Plagiarism is forbidden. No part of an entry may copied with one exception: You may quote short passages, but only if the material is surrounded in double quotes (") and the source indicated
7. Instructors, mentors or parents may assist the student by presenting relevant resources, discussing core concepts and suggesting minor edits, but the work itself must be entirely student produced
8. Avoid including material not directly related to your space settlement or settlement related issue. This is a space settlement contest and marginally related material will make it difficult for the judges

Prize:

The National Space Society (NSS) invites all 2019 contest participants to attend the NSS 38th annual International Space Development Conference (ISDC) in Arlington, June 6-9. Every year, hundreds of contestants attend, along with their parents, teachers, siblings and friends. Special activities for contestants are planned, including:

1. The highest ranking winners attending will be invited to give oral presentations as time is available
2. To the extent space is available, all contestants who attend will be invited to display a poster of their work
3. Special sessions are arranged for contestants, teachers, parents, etc.
4. The highest ranking attending entry will receive the Herman Rubin Award of $5,000 and give a plenary talk at one of the conference's signature events
5. A pdf certificate will be sent to all winners
6. Contestants are responsible for all travel arrangements and costs, visas and conference expenses. Also, minors (children under 18) must be accompanied by a responsible adult (21 years or older). Among other potential problems, the hotel may not allow check in without an adult in the party