Ottawa Co. students compete to send recipe to space

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your recipe sent to space? Well, that’s exactly what some Ottawa County students in Michigan are competing for. The contest, called “Cooking Beyond Gravity,” is open to middle and high school students who attend schools in Ottawa County.

The competition is a joint venture between the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District and the Michigan Department of Education. Its purpose is to encourage students to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) while also promoting healthy eating habits.

To enter, students need to submit a recipe that meets certain criteria. The recipes must be nutritious, easy to prepare in space, and have a shelf life of up to three years. Once the recipes are submitted, a panel of judges will choose six finalists based on the creativity, originality, and adherence to the guidelines.

The six finalists will then have the opportunity to work with a professional chef to perfect their recipe before it is sent to NASA’s Space Food Systems Laboratory for testing. The winning recipe will be included on the menu for astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

The competition is a great way to get students excited about STEM, healthy eating, and space exploration. By encouraging students to think outside the box and come up with creative recipes, the contest helps to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. Plus, the opportunity to have their recipe sent to space is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that could inspire these students to pursue careers in STEM.

Overall, the “Cooking Beyond Gravity” competition is a fun and engaging way to get students excited about science and healthy eating. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll all be enjoying a meal created by one of these innovative young chefs floating in space!