Purdue 1 Indiana Fifth-Grade Essay Competition

Imagine the Future in Space

Purdue 1 is a future space mission that will send a Purdue professor, a graduate student and alumni on a suborbital space flight to conduct research experiments and inspire learning, discovery and exploration. As Purdue prepares for the Purdue 1 space mission, Indiana fifth graders are invited to imagine the future of space and share their ideas through an essay competition.

What could the next giant leap in space exploration look like—and what ideas could Indiana students contribute? The Purdue 1 Indiana Essay Competition invites students enrolled in fifth grade in Indiana during the 2026–27 school year to think boldly about space, innovation and the communities they call home.

The Essay Question

Spaceflights require a large team of people with a variety of skills in order to be successful. From designing the flight suits to packing food, everyone works together for a successful mission. Think about a subject you love in school or a hobby you enjoy doing in your free time (like art, writing, math, building things, or sports). If you were joining the team for a future space mission, how could you use that specific interest, hobby, or skill to help the crew succeed? What job will you create for yourself on the team?

Dream big, be creative and let your imagination soar! Tell us about your ideas for the future of space exploration and help readers understand why your ideas could make a difference for people on Earth and beyond.

Entries accepted Oct. 1–Nov. 30, 2026

Submit an Essay Read the Complete Competition Rules
State of Indiana showing all 92 counties

Rules

Who May Enter

The competition is open to students enrolled in fifth grade in Indiana during the 2026–27 school year. Students may enter through a classroom or independently with the involvement of a parent or guardian. Teachers engaging an entire class may select and submit up to three student essays.

How to Enter

  1. Read the essay prompt and complete rules.
  2. Write and review your essay. Most of the work must be your own.
  3. Enter either through your teacher, if your class is participating, or as an independent student. If you are an independent student, a parent or guardian should help you complete the submission process and required permissions.
  4. Submit by 11:59 p.m. EST Nov. 30, 2026.

How Essays Will Be Judged

Judges selected by Purdue Extension 4-H Youth Development will consider writing quality, creative and critical thinking, organization and connection to the competition theme. The judging pool may include Purdue alumni, faculty, staff and students; engineers; former 4-H members; 4-H volunteers; and community members.

Recognition for County Winners

One winner from each Indiana county in which an eligible entry is received will be recognized. Winners are expected to be announced in early spring 2027. Each county winner will receive a personalized Purdue 1 Indiana mission patch bearing the student’s name. If mission conditions permit, the section of the patch displaying winners’ names will accompany the Purdue 1 crew on its suborbital flight.

Rules at-a-Glance

  • Eligibility: Indiana students enrolled in fifth grade during the 2026–27 school year.
  • Entry period: Oct. 1 through Nov. 30, 2026.
  • Ways to participate: Independently with a parent or guardian if your classroom is not participating in the competition, or through a teacher/classroom in a participating classroom.
  • Classroom limit: A teacher engaging an entire class may select and submit up to three essays.
  • Original work: Most of the essay must be the student’s own work.
  • AI: Permitted only with parent or guardian permission; tools must be cited and their contribution explained.
  • Judging: Writing quality, creative and critical thinking, organization and connection to the theme.

FAQs

Purdue 1 Indiana Fifth-Grade Essay Competition

No. It is not required to be a 4-H member to enter or win the competition.

No. Only one entry per student is allowed.

No. Independent students may also participate.

No. The competition is for 5th grade students currently residing in Indiana.

The essay should be 2-3 paragraphs.

Yes, with parent or guardian permission. Most of the essay must be the student’s original work. Students must cite any AI tool used and explain how it contributed. See the complete rules for requirements and examples.

Contact number for accessibility request: 765.494.8435
Contact email for accessibility request: in4h@purdue.edu

If you are in need of accommodations to participate, please contact Purdue Extension 4-H Youth Development at 765-494-8435 or winter35@purdue.edu by October 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.

If you need an interpreter or translator, please contact Purdue Extension 4-H Youth Development at 765.494.8435 or in4h@purdue.edu by October 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.

We expect to announce winners in early spring 2027. Winners will be notified via an email to their parent or legal guardian.

Patches will be distributed either at a celebration event to be determined or via direct mail.

Email engagement@purdue.edu with the subject "Purdue 1" if you have any questions.