We've been following the latest Seeds in Space adventures in this blog for a while now. In fact, we've had some wonderful pictures and stories from kids around the country, including Allenton, Wisconsin; Providence, Rhode Island. and Indianapolis, Indiana. These teachers and students have all been using Cinnamon Basil seed that visited outer space via Space Shuttle Endeavour as part of the STS-118 mission.
Well, yesterday, I received an email from NASA, forwarded by the esteemed Doc Alston, our Director of Research and Quality Assurance and our liaison to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. One of our key contacts, a delightful gentleman named Jon, sent us an update on the program and also asked a very good question. Jon was kind enough to allow me to share his message here:
"Jim:
"Hope all is going well at Park Seed. I just wanted to give you a status on the impact the STS-118 seeds project has had on educators and students across the country. We are quickly approaching 1 million students involved in this project. The Engineering Design Challenge (in which students design, build and evaluate a growth chamber for future missions to the moon) is moving along very well.
"One question--any idea on how long the seeds will be viable if they are kept in relatively normal temperature and humidity levels (ie. a classroom)?
"Thanks,
Jon"
Gosh--1 million students?!?! That's fantastic! Personally, I'd love to blog about about every one of
them here! And what about Jon's question? How long will the space and control seed remain viable, once they've been sent to schools around the country?
According to Jim, seeds kept sealed in a Park Seed package can survive 2-3 years, assuming a room temperature of around 78 degrees and humidity of around 36%. Now, if you take those same seed packs, seal them in a zipable plastic bag with all the air squeezed out, and put them in a refridgerator, the seeds can remain viable for up to 10 years! Remember--the reason space is a great place to keep seed is that they require air, water, and warmth to sprout. So a cold, airless place works really well for preserving seed.
Thanks for the information, Jim. Good to know. And Jon said that NASA has some STS-118 seed available. So teachers, Master Gardeners, students, and space fans, there is still time to sign up for the Engineering Challenge: Lunar Plant Growth Chamber. Start preparing now and you'll be all set for a great space adventure when school starts again.
And once you've begun your engineering design challenge, don't forget to send pictures and stories to me! Email me at ckuhl@parkseed.com to share your seeds in space experiments, experiences, and excitement. We love Seeds in Space--it's out of this world!
