Yesterday at Douglas Byrd High School (DBHS), the 2026 STARward STEM Expo brought together 11 student teams from elementary, middle and high schools across the county for a high-stakes design challenge. Over the past several months, teams collaborated on STEM projects, exploring the challenges astronauts face in space and developing experiments aimed at improving life beyond Earth.
This year's awards program emcee, Jeff "Goldy" Goldberg from Rock 103, proudly announced the following winners of the 2026 STARward STEM Design Challenge:
"Judges' Choice" Winner - “Microgravity Muscle Makers: Theraputty in Space," Warrenwood Elementary School
Eleanor Beckwith
Grayson Osborn
Kailani Boston
Kaylee Hunt
Londyn Taylor
Wyatt Lauterbach
Teacher: Shanelle Chalmers
Elementary Winner - “Sweet DreamZ Team,” Vanstory Hills Elementary School
Lola Balestena
Riley Coleman
Wyatt Hall
Andrew O'Quinn
Teacher: Jean Pelezo
Secondary Winner - “The GOATS -- Dust in Microgravity: A Static Solution To Space Dust,” Douglas Byrd High School
Lily Curatolo
Malia Ketter
Soniya Robinson
Symiere Toler
Teacher: Undine Roemmer
Inspired to aim high and reach the stars, the winning teams are slated to test their experiments in simulated microgravity at NC State University on April 25, then present their projects during a trip to the Kennedy Space Center in October.
In addition to the competition, attendees explored interactive technology displays, connected with STEM professionals, and met retired astronaut Captain Tony Antonelli—a Douglas Byrd High School graduate, U.S. Navy veteran, and pilot on two Space Shuttle missions to the International Space Station (STS-119 and STS-132).
Since its launch four years ago, the STARward STEM Design Challenge has engaged more than 180 teams and over 1,100 students, helping spark interest in space exploration and innovation among young learners.
About STARward STEM
The STARward STEM program sparks student interest in science, technology, engineering and math through hands-on, project-based learning and real-world experiences with industry experts. Its goal is to create unforgettable “STAR experiences” that inspire the next generation of innovators. Each year, students compete in a design challenge to develop experiments addressing life in space. This year, winning teams will participate in Zero G Drop Day at NC State University, testing their ideas in simulated microgravity with aerospace engineers. Students also tour advanced research labs and later present their findings at Kennedy Space Center and the North Carolina Space Symposium.
PHOTOS of the 2026 STARward STEM Expo and Design Challenge Winning Teams
The 2026 STARward STEM Design Challenge Winning Teams
The First-Place Judges' Choice Category winners, the "Microgravity Muscle Makers: Theraputty in Space" team from Warrenwood Elementary School (WES), take a photo with N.C. Senator Val Applewhite, CCS Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy, WES Principal Kanisha Jones and Capt. Tony Antonelli.
The First-Place Elementary School Category winners, the "Sweet DreamZ Team" from Vanstory Hills Elementary School (VHES), poses for a photo with Sen. Applewhite, Dr. Bracy, VHES Principal Rebecca McAlister and Capt. Antonelli.
The First-Place Secondary School Category winners, "The GOATS-Dust in Microgravity: A Static Solution To Space Dust" team from Douglas Byrd High School takes a picture with Sen. Applewhite, Dr. Bracy and Capt. Antonelli.