Puerto Rican Youth from Despair to Hope

When the youth of low income, problem ridden communities can participate in a project about growing vegetables on the moon – you know that something spectacular is happening. Eighteen youth from PECES Inc. Alternative High School are participating in the NASA SSERVI (Solar System Exploration Virtual Research Institute) project Plant the Moon. Our students are a part of an expected 13,000 youth throughout the United States and Puerto Rico that are a part of STEM education projects. They are learning to growing vegetables (broccoli and beets) in lunar regolith provided by NASA.
The amazing thing is that these are students from poor communities who never thought they would even finish high school. These youth have confronted devastating hurricanes, earthquakes, a pandemic, poverty, a lack of opportunities, and severe family problems and violence. Now they proudly tell their friends that they are a part of a NASA project. The students are engaged in a scientific experiment to understand how lunar soil can be used to grow food, as this helps one of the goals that support NASA's return to the Moon.
This is what is known as challenge-based learning that creates academic heroes. Each of these youth has survived terrible situations and it is an achievement for them simply to attain their high school diploma. Imagine what it means to them to be able say that they are a part of the lunar exploration program, Artemis. This is the work of transforming lives. This is work of PECES Inc. as we strive offer extraordinary opportunities to youth that have confronted devastating life challenges. Please be a part of creating hope because when you help us; the most amazing, extraordinary, life changing opportunities can be created.