GSSM Dedicates Artemis I Moon Tree on Campus

HARTSVILLE, S.C. (April 2, 2025) — The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) has been selected as the steward of a rare piece of space history: a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) seedling that traveled aboard NASA’s Artemis I mission around the Moon. GSSM will officially dedicate the Moon Tree during a special ceremony on Wednesday, April 16, from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. on the school’s front lawn.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover this unique event celebrating the intersection of space exploration and STEM education.

Moon Trees are part of a NASA initiative to inspire the next generation of explorers by connecting spaceflight with life here on Earth. Seedlings were sent around the Moon aboard the uncrewed Orion spacecraft during the Artemis I mission in 2022. Upon return, they were distributed to organizations committed to STEM education, conservation, and community engagement.

“When I first saw the advertisement encouraging applications for the stewardship of an Artemis I Moon Tree, I knew I needed to apply on behalf of GSSM,” said Dr. Jennifer Brown, chair of the biology department at GSSM. “We offer transformative educational opportunities for both our residential and virtual high school students, as well as elementary and middle school students within Hartsville, the surrounding areas, and across the state through our outreach and virtual programs.”

Dr. Brown emphasized the educational value of the tree, noting that “NASA’s efforts go beyond the engineering, chemistry, and physics needed for travel to and from space, to extend into biological research. Scientists not only study the impacts of space travel on humans, but they also want to learn more about how plants grow in space.”

Strategically planted at the campus entrance, the Moon Tree is intended to be both a daily inspiration and a living laboratory. “This loblolly pine seedling has been placed along the front walkway so every student and adult who enters our campus will be able to see a piece of scientific research history and have a firsthand experience with an item that traveled to space,” Dr. Brown said. “Loblolly pine trees can live for over 200 years. I hope this tree can be used in GSSM’s curriculum for students of all ages for the duration of its life.”

She also reflected on the tree’s deeper symbolic significance for the Pee Dee region: “We should not forget that the Pee Dee is already known as the birthplace of Dr. Ronald McNair, the physicist astronaut who lost his life aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986. If seeing a Moon Tree in person or learning about Dr. McNair’s story moves one person, whether they are a residential student, visiting student, a community member, or beyond, to consider a path that leads us beyond Earth, this tree will have served its purpose.”