On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez visited James E. Plew Elementary in Niceville to officially announce the launch of the Third Annual Lieutenant Governor’s Space Art Contest, an initiative aimed at promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) education among K-5 students in Florida.
The contest, which has received over 4,000 original art submissions in the past two years, invites students to create two-dimensional artwork based on this year’s theme.
- Lt. Governor Nuñez expressed her excitement to see the innovative and futuristic designs that young artists will bring to life, stating, “our theme for this year is the spacesuit of the future.”
Submissions will be divided into two categories: K-2 and 3-5. Six finalists from each group (12 total) will be selected, with each finalist winning two tickets to the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center.
Additionally, two grand prize winners, one from each group, will have their artwork launched into space aboard a SpaceX rocket in support of an upcoming mission.
During her visit, Lt. Governor Nuñez was accompanied by Rob Long, President and CEO of Space Florida, Superintendent Marcus Chambers, and Principal Tammy Matz. The event began with a tour of two classrooms before the official announcement was made in the school’s media center.
Talking to the students seated at tables, Superintendent Marcus Chambers asked them, “Who would like to go to space one day?”
“This is what is so amazing about having a Lieutenant Governor that has a vision about Space Florida, a vision to get you all to be thinking even more about space,” he said to the students. “One of you could be an astronaut one day.”
- Chambers went on to reaffirm that not only is STEM education important at Plew Elementary, but across Okaloosa Schools.
Space Florida, a sponsor of the Lieutenant Governor’s Space Art Contest, believes supporting STEAM education initiatives is crucial to its mission.
The contest rules and guidelines for students can be found online at FloridaSpaceArt.com.
