We are thrilled to announce that five sophomores from BASIS Phoenix have been named as winners in NASA’s annual TechRise Student Challenge.
The NASA TechRise Student Challenge is a STEM competition that gives students in grades 6–12 an opportunity to design and test innovative ideas for space travel. NASA selects winners by reviewing students’ detailed experiment proposals. The winning teams receive a $1,500 award from NASA to build their experiment, which will then be sent into space during a suborbital flight!
Please join us in congratulating BASIS Phoenix’s winning team:
- Arnav C.
- Gavin C.
- Paul H.
- Aarav K.
- Pranit K.
These students have the distinction of being the only team from Arizona to win this year’s TechRise Student Challenge. Way to go!
Our students’ win was recently covered on ABC15 local news. Check out the segment below!
The BASIS Phoenix team’s experiment is called “Shear Thickening Fluids as a Safety Measure in Situations of Rapid Decompression and Deceleration.” It centers around how shear thickening fluids—a liquid that solidifies under pressure—may be used as a safety mechanism in the event of an explosion.
In addition to winning a $1,500 award, the BASIS Phoenix team has the privilege of meeting weekly with a NASA engineer. This engineer supports the students and provides valuable advice as they work to finish their experiment.
“The TechRise competition has given our students a unique opportunity to bridge theory and practice,” says Susan Slayton, Head of School at BASIS Phoenix. “These students are gaining hands-on experience that reinforces the academic rigor we emphasize in our curriculum. Additionally, the weekly calls with NASA personnel have allowed our students to gain first hand insights into the space industry. This experience is not only shaping their academic growth—it’s also inspiring their future.”
“I couldn’t be prouder of my students for participating in and winning the NASA TechRise Student Challenge,” says Akash Joseph, a science teacher at BASIS Phoenix who acted as a faculty advisor for the winning students. “By taking part in this challenge, we are creating a community for the next generation of BASIS Phoenix pioneers to build something incredible. Together, we aim to reach greater heights!”
Once all of the experiments from the winning teams are built, they will be sent into the stratosphere on a high-altitude balloon operated by World View Enterprises of Tucson, Arizona. The launch will take place later this summer, and our winning team will be watching it via live stream.
Congratulations again to these talented students. We wish them the best of luck as they finish up their experiment!
BASIS Phoenix is a tuition-free public charter school for grades 6–12. We are proud to offer an accelerated, STEM-inspired curriculum that empowers students to reach their full potential. Discover why BASIS Phoenix is the perfect fit for your student! Take a school tour or attend a Virtual Info Session.
