Government funds students competing in NASA Challenge

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader hosted 12 university and high school students at the National Palace, celebrating their participation in NASA’s annual Human Exploration Rover Challenge. This prestigious competition invites global teams to design and build human-powered vehicles capable of exploring extraterrestrial terrains, fostering skills in engineering, teamwork, and perseverance.

Three Dominican teams qualified for the 2025 edition: INTEC University’s APOLO 27, a consistent achiever with a second-place win in 2024; Astrobosco from the Salesian Institute Don Bosco; and Cygnus 12 from Mis Estrellas School. The event underscores the growing involvement of Dominican youth in advanced scientific pursuits.

To support their efforts, the government, led by the Ministry of Youth, provided each team with RD$500,000 to assist with participation expenses and vehicle development. This initiative demonstrates the country’s commitment to promoting education, innovation, and international representation in STEM fields.