‘Moon Tree’ at San Antonio College Highlights STEM and Sustainability Initiatives
San Antonio College has recently celebrated a unique addition to its campus—a loblolly pine tree that traces its roots to seeds carried aboard NASA’s Artemis 1 mission. This mission, which took place in late 2022, orbited the moon and included 2,000 seeds, emphasizing the connection between space exploration and environmental education.
A Unique Symbol of Science and Sustainability
The new tree, affectionately named “Artie” in tribute to the Artemis program, was planted during a dedication ceremony hosted by the Scobee Education Center in collaboration with the William R. Sinkin Eco Centro. Rick Varner, director of the Scobee Center, emphasized that this initiative not only promotes environmental sustainability but also stimulates interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Location and Symbolism
Artie is now situated in the Challenger Holt Memorial Garden near the Scobee Center. This garden serves as a memorial for the seven astronauts who lost their lives in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster of 1986, as well as for Bob Kelley, a long-serving astronomer at the college’s planetarium.
Varner notes that the presence of this tree serves as a living testament to humanity’s ongoing curiosity about space travel. “The tree with the Challenger garden is a living memorial to the persistence of people who work in the space community,” he stated.
History of Space-Germinated Seeds
The planting of moon trees is part of a broader initiative by NASA that began in the 1970s. The first tree seeds were sent into space during the Apollo 14 mission to study the effects of weightlessness on seed germination and growth. Following this historic experiment, various seeds were grown and planted across the globe.
In a recent collaborative effort, NASA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture sent five different tree species, including loblolly pine, aboard the Artemis 1 mission, which lasted four weeks and covered 270,000 miles. So far, more than 230 sites have received seedlings from this mission, enhancing awareness about the benefits of trees.
The Journey of Artie
Varner led the application for a moon tree sapling for San Antonio College, confident in its selection due to the significant educational resources available at the campus. The college received the loblolly pine sapling in May 2024, deciding to delay its outdoor planting until it was well established.
Artie was initially cared for indoors at Eco Centro, where it grew two feet in height, drawing attention and affection from visitors. Rose Flores, Eco Centro director, remarked on the community’s enthusiasm, stating, “People would come into our building, take Artie out for a little walk, even take pictures with him.”
Community Impact and Educational Opportunities
With the planting of Artie, the college has opened discussions surrounding the importance of trees in urban environments, especially amid rising summer temperatures in San Antonio. Flores emphasized the need to expand the local tree canopy, particularly in urban downtown areas.
The dedication ceremony for Artie attracted families participating in a Head Start Family Day, illustrating the community’s engagement and excitement about the new addition to the campus. Varner expressed satisfaction at the event, noting the parents’ plans to return in the future to document Artie’s growth alongside their children.
“Anything we can do that’s positive in the community, not just for those interested in STEM, is great,” Varner concluded. Flores echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of tree planting for enjoyment and educational purposes.
