US: Potato science experiment returns from space travels aboard

In early 2016, a group of four Bullard High School freshman students were selected to send a science project into outer space. Now, the project has returned from its celestial visit and the team has been able to get a first glimpse of their findings with the help of a professor at the University of Texas at Tyler. The SpaceX CRS-12 Mission 11, America, launched from Cape Canaveral, Fla. on Monday, Aug. 14, carrying the experiment of now-BHS junior students Emmalie Ellis, Emma Rhyne, Valerie Vierkant, and Raelee Walker, entitled Microgravity’s Effects on Solanum Tuberosum Resistance to Phytophthora Infestans. “It was pretty amazing when the project finally went into space,” said Vierkant. “We’ve all been waiting basically our whole time in high school for it to actually go. It’s literally been like a rollercoaster because we’ve had several delays and rescheduled flights, so finally getting to see it leave was great.” More