Competition History
In 1977, The Aerospace Corporation established the Robert H. Herndon Memorial Science Competition. This event provides middle and high school students in Los Angeles County an opportunity to participate annually in the El Segundo portion of the essay and/or science experiment competition. In 2000, a Washington-area Herndon Memorial Science Competition was established and is also held annually.
The award is named for the late Robert H. Herndon, an Aerospace engineer and manager who served as a mentor for many at the corporation. The competition events are designed to stimulate interest among minority students in science, engineering, and technology, and increase diversity across the aerospace industry.
The 47th Annual Robert H. Herndon Memorial Science Competition will consist of 4 separate events:
Los Angeles Area: On Site at our El Segundo Campus on May 23rd, 2024. Click here for more information.
Washington, DC Area: On Site at our Chantilly, VA Campus on May 23rd, 2024. Click here for more information.
Huntsville, AL: Essay Competition Only. Click here for more information.
Space Coast, FL: Essay Competition Only. Click here for more information.
The view from space is truly something to behold. It provides a completely different perspective of Earth and the vastness of space itself. Science taught us long ago there is a lot to see beyond what our eyes show us. Using specialized instruments, we can see what gasses comprise Mars’ atmosphere. Other instruments allow us to see the origins of the universe. What we can see from space is limited only by our ingenuity. The theme for this year’s event is Visions from Space.
The 2024 Herndon Science Competition consists of experiment & essay competitions. Students may form teams or work individually and submit an experiment on a science topic of their choice. Instructions on how to enter an experiment will be provided in the instructions for each event.
Alternatively, the 2024 Herndon Science Competition invites you to submit a science essay that captures the theme Visions from Space.
To Enter the Contest
You should submit a science essay that draws on an engineering or science discipline to address the theme Visions from Space. Your submission must also follow the specific guidelines and limits for your competition category – based on your grade level.
When will the winners be announced?
Winners will be announced during each event. Participants in Chantilly and Los Angeles must be present to win. Further information will be provided as appropriate to each event.
Contact:
For any questions about the events please contact us at HerndonScience@aero.org
