(AGENPARL) – gio 24 agosto 2023 August 24, 2023 
RELEASE 23-093
*NASA, Forest Service to Share Moon Tree Seedlings, Promote STEM*
The Moon pictured from the International Space Station while orbiting 264
miles above the Pacific Ocean in between Fiji and American Samoa.
*/Credits: NASA/*
Education and community organizations can apply to receive a living piece of
spaceflight history to promote science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics: a seedling grown from a tree seed that flew around the Moon on
the NASA’s Artemis I mission in late 2022.
NASA and the USDA Forest Service will distribute Artemis Moon Tree seedlings
of five different species to create new ways for communities on Earth to
connect with humanity’s exploration of space for the benefit of all. Nearly
2,000 seeds were flown to space.
Organizations like schools, libraries, museums, and others engaging with
students, or the public, are encouraged to apply for a Moon Tree seedling
through NASA’s Artifact Module [1]. The application period closes Friday,
Oct. 6.
Examples of eligible institutions include formal and informal K-12-serving
organizations, universities, community organizations, museums and science
centers, and government organizations.
“NASA’s Artemis moon trees are bringing the science and ingenuity of
space exploration back down to Earth,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
“Last year, these seeds flew on the Artemis I mission 40,000 miles beyond
the Moon. With the help of the USDA, this new generation of Moon trees will
plant the spirit of exploration across our communities and inspire the next
generation of explorers.”
This is the second generation of Moon Trees for distribution on Earth. In
1971, Apollo 14 Command Module Pilot Stuart Roosa, a former Forest Service
smoke jumper, carried hundreds of tree seeds as a part of his personal kit.
Following the successful return of Apollo 14, the Forest Service germinated
the seeds. The Apollo Moon Tree seedlings were planted around the nation,
many as part of the U.S. bicentennial celebration in 1976.
Today, a new generation [2] of Moon Trees will soon take root in American
soil and carry on the legacy of inspiration launched more than 50 years ago.
The seeds that journeyed 270,000 miles from Earth aboard the Orion spacecraft
during Artemis I included sycamores, sweetgums, Douglas-firs, loblolly pines,
and giant sequoias. Through the care of the Forest Service, the seeds were
germinated and grown into seedlings in preparation for their new roles as
Artemis Moon Trees.
“The seeds that flew on the Artemis mission will soon be Moon Trees
standing proudly on campuses and institutions across the country,” said
Randy Moore, Forest Service chief. “These future Moon Trees, like those
that came before them, serve as a potent symbol that when we put our mind to
a task, there is nothing we can’t accomplish. They will inspire future
generations of scientists, whose research underpins all that we do here at
the Forest Service.”
*How to Apply*
Instructions for submitting a proposal, and information on Moon Tree [3]
seedling criteria, is available online. NASA and USDA Forest Service will
review submitted applications to determine the viability to successfully host
a seedling; the Forest Service will identify the seedling species for
selected recipients based on geographical region in the contiguous United
States. NASA is working with the Forest Service to identify timelines for
seedling distribution in 2023 and 2024.
This opportunity is made possible through a collaboration between NASA’s
Next Gen STEM [4] project and the Forest Service [5]. Through NASA’s Office
of STEM Engagement, Next Gen STEM provides resources and opportunities
designed to bring STEM and space content to formal and informal K-12
educators and students. Through Forest Service Environmental Education
programs, people develop the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to
understand complex environmental issues.
For the latest NASA STEM events, activities, and news, visit:
*https://stem.nasa.gov* [6]
-end-
*Press Contacts*
Katherine Brown
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1288
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[1] https://artifacts.nasa.gov/
[2] https://www.nasa.gov/stem/feature/nasa-usda-forest-service-fly-next-generation-of-moon-tree-seeds-on-artemis-1/
[3] https://beta.nasa.gov/stem-content/apply-for-an-artemis-moon-tree-seedling/
[4] https://www.nasa.gov/stem/nextgenstem/index.html
[6] https://stem.nasa.gov