NASA HUNCH Teams Competed in Finals at Space Center in Houston

The NASA HUNCH Prototype & Design and Culinary teams traveled to Houston, Texas to compete in the Finals at the NASA Johnson Space Center on April 28 where they presented their projects to astronauts, judges and other attendees. They also had the opportunity to add their signatures to the ISS (International Space Station) locker which will go to space! 

 

The team members were accompanied by Dr. Dorothea Kominos, Science Department Chairperson, and Kathleen Staudt, Director of Institutional Advancement, as well as several parents.

 

During the year, the Prototype & Design team, which consists of sophomores Olivia Assuncao ’28, Natalia Rogers ’28, Michaela Vendiola ’28, and Gabriella Volpicelli ’28, was challenged to use recycled materials available to astronauts in space to create a chess board that can be used on the moon or Mars. The board had to meet strict design requirements including a method to attach pieces to the board during play and storage. They were not allowed to use Velcro or magnets in their design. The team designed a board that could be 3D printed using recycled filament. They developed a joint between the board pieces that allows the board to roll up and an innovative ball and socket connector for the pieces to the chess board. Their creation, αστέρι σκάκι (Greek for star chess), was presented to NASA reviewers at a Critical Design Review at Rutgers University on February 27.

 

The Culinary Team, which includes Ava Bonczek ’26, Catherine Nolan ’27, Celia Carnesi-Silberstein ’27, Clara Notopradono ’29, Erica Anselmo ’27, Gabrielle Cialdella ’26, Isabella Biunno ’26, Isabella Vitorino ’26, Makena Muchiri ’27, Maria Pasqua ’26, Sabrina Cialdella ’27, Sabrina Tse ’26, Sara Mangal ’27, and Shani Muchiri ’26, presented their Shrimp Taco with Pineapple Salsa and Cabbage Slaw at the Finals. The members who attended the Culinary Finals were: Erica Anselmo, Celia Carnesi-Silberstein, Sabrina Cialdella, Sara Mangal and Catherine Nolan. 

 

Dr. Kominos said, "The trip to Houston for the NASA HUNCH Finals was a wonderful experience for the students. Although the Culinary challenge felt a little like "Chopped" on the Food Network because the team needed to present their food to 28 judges, our students were more focused on making sure their dish was tasty and nutritious for the astronauts. The Prototype & Design team enjoyed describing their project to NASA engineers. A highlight for both teams was meeting Astronaut candidates."