Space for the benefit of earth

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COLLABORATE WITH TODAY’S GAME CHANGERS AT THE INAUGURAL O’NEILL SYMPOSIUM!

APRIL 24-26 | HOSTED AT BLUE ORIGIN’S ORBITAL LAUNCH SITE IN FLORIDA

The O’Neill Symposium is a multi-day think-tank for high school students to collaborate with leaders in climate and sustainability about critical challenges we’re facing as a planet and species. Participants will work together to innovative solutions using space for the benefit of Earth.

The top-scoring teams from the Space for the Benefit of Earth Challenge will join in curated conversations, meet with subject matter experts, gain inspiration from featured speakers, tour Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket factory, and experience NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex. This all-expenses paid opportunity is one you don’t want to miss!

Blue Origin was founded on a vision of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth.

Humans are at our best when we are inventing, growing, and using technology to move us forward. But that progress is unsustainable. We have only one Earth with finite resources, and we are doubling our energy use every 25 years.

However, there are abundant resources, both material and energy, in our solar system. We are at the dawn of a new age of commercial space flight that will bring those resources within humanity’s grasp. At the core of Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space is protecting our home planet. Blue Origin envisions a time when people can tap into the limitless resources of space and enable the movement of damaging industries into space to preserve Earth, humanity’s blue origin.

HOW WOULD YOU TAP INTO THE LIMITLESS RESOURCES OF SPACE FOR THE BENEFIT OF EARTH?

THE MISSION:
Students create Mission Crews to brainstorm innovative solutions that leverage space resources to tackle challenges such as climate change, food/energy insecurity, and environmental degradation. Each submission from the Mission Crew should illustrate four key pillars – innovation, critical design thinking, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. Crews must submit a Mission Briefing and Video Log that directly addresses one or more of these challenges, with the potential to be implemented within 10 years.

Submission examples might include solutions for: clean water, clean power, clean metals, energy storage, energy efficiency, increased biodiversity, monitoring and evaluation, recycling, reducing CO2 emissions and waste, sustainable food production, sustainable manufacturing, aerospace systems and processes, and waste management including space junk tracking and elimination.

MISSION OVERVIEW:

ACTIVATE YOUR MISSION CREW | Now!
Gather your Mission Crew today! Your Crew must consist of 2-5 students, ages 13-18. Recruit a coach over the age of 21, like a teacher, parent, subject-matter expert, or other qualified mentor. All team members and coach must be citizens of, and currently reside in, the United States.
MISSION BREIFING STAGE | DEADLINE MARCH 19, 2023 by 11:59 PM ET
It’s time to brainstorm! Complete several brainstorming activities to vet different innovative solutions. Research what resources are currently in existence and how space is currently being utilized. Select one innovative solution to focus on and take the invaluable step towards bringing your innovation to life. Create a Mission Briefing and Video Log that shares your innovation and introduces your Mission Crew!
FINALIST ANNOUNCED | APRIL 1, 2023
Our judges will review each submission, and 10 top-scoring teams will be selected to attend the O’Neill Symposium!
THE O’NEILL SYMPOSIUM |APRIL 24-26, 2023
Blue Origin’s Orbital Manufacturing Complex and Launch Site
MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA
The O’Neill Symposium is hosted and managed by Blue Origin’s foundation, Club for the Future. Finalists will receive further details on the event agenda and travel logistics directly from Club for the Future closer to the event.