Introduction to SSEP and the Patch Design Competition

The Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) is about inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers, and it’s bringing this opportunity right here to our Appalachian community! This program allows students to propose real experiments to fly on the International Space Station (ISS), but it’s about much more than science. SSEP is designed to engage entire communities and promote cross-disciplinary learning, making STEM education a community-wide celebration.

Ohio University has already sent one student-designed experiment to the ISS, and we’re now working on our second! As part of this incredible journey, Ohio University has partnered with the Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery to launch a Mission Patch Design Competition for students in grades K-8.

Here’s how it works: Students create their own mission patch designs, and the winning patches will be sent to space alongside our experiment! After their journey, the patches will be returned to the designers, complete with a special certification stating they flew in space.

This is a unique chance for our young students to have their art literally reach the stars! To learn more about the Patch Design Competition, including the rules, click the link below. Let’s show the world what creativity and talent our community has to offer!