Midland Students Earned Space Station Experiment Slots

Five Midland ISD students won a competition to send science experiments to the International Space Station.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Secondary Education

Midland Students Earned Space Station Experiment Slots

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Five students from Midland ISD have earned the opportunity to send original experiments to the International Space Station. The victory follows their participation in the Higher Orbits Go for Launch Midland Artemis Series.

Why it matters

The program provides students with hands-on experience in aerospace science and engineering through a collaborative partnership between local education, development, and energy sectors. It encourages local engagement in STEM fields by offering participants a direct path to contribute to orbital research.

Five students were selected through the Higher Orbits Go for Launch Midland Artemis Series. The program is supported by a partnership between Midland ISD, the Midland Development Corporation, and Chevron.

The players

Midland ISD

This public school district serves students in Midland, Texas, and is a partner in the Higher Orbits educational program.

Higher Orbits

This organization facilitates space-related education and programming for students, including the Go for Launch series.

Midland Development Corporation

This entity focuses on economic development in the city and is a supporting partner for the local student space program.

Chevron

This multinational energy corporation provides funding and support for the Higher Orbits program in Midland.

The details

The winning students—Jeremiah Teller, Jerman Hargrove, Zoey Roper, Aaron White, and Eva Estrada—will now move into the build and preparation phase. They are tasked with finalizing their experiments to meet flight requirements for the journey to the International Space Station.

Students participated in the Higher Orbits program from summer 2025 through spring 2026.
The student experiments are tentatively scheduled for launch to the International Space Station in late spring 2027.

Culture Shift

This project reflects a broader trend of privatizing and democratizing access to space research for secondary students. It moves beyond traditional classroom science, aligning with initiatives that integrate private industry and public education to foster the next generation of aerospace innovators.

This program provides Midland ISD students with a unique, high-level extracurricular opportunity that differentiates their educational experience. It highlights the tangible benefits of local industry partnerships for students pursuing careers in science and technology.

The takeaway

Students looking to engage in advanced STEM projects should seek out local partnerships between school districts and corporate sponsors. These programs often bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application in specialized fields like aerospace.