Genes in Space Mentorship
Admission Insight mentors students in grades 7 to 12 writing a Genes in Space proposal, the competition whose winning biotechnology experiment is launched to the International Space Station. We help the student read the biology and design an experiment that can be judged.
Students enter alone or in pairs with an adult sponsor. 2027 information is released in January.
About the Genes in Space
Who can enter
Grades 7 to 12 at a U.S. public, private or home school; individuals or pairs, with an adult sponsor.
What is judged
A proposal for a biotechnology experiment, judged on creative and scientific merit. One proposal per student per year.
Dates
The 2026 cycle ran January 5 to April 10, 2026. 2027 information is shared in January.
What we help with
The biology
Background reading so the question is grounded in what is known.
Experiment design
Controls and a measurable outcome a reviewer can follow.
The student does the work
The student owns the question, the data and the writing. We meet one on one, ask the hard questions a judge will ask, and say plainly in any disclosure what help was given.
Who mentors
Dr. Harman Brah, MD
Physician and judge at the California Science & Engineering Fair.
Wesley Hatcher, PhD
Organic chemistry, UC San Diego. NSF Graduate Research Fellow. Directed research mentorship for more than 100 UCSD undergraduates.
Results
Our students have been Regeneron STS and ISEF national semifinalists and category award winners, and have taken 1st place at JSHS and the Alameda County Science & Engineering Fair.
Free Genes in Space guides
Questions families ask
Do you mentor Genes in Space proposals?
Yes. We mentor students one on one. The student writes the proposal.
When should we start?
Fall. The 2027 cycle details come out in January.
Start with a consultation
Tell us your student's grade, interests and the competition they are aiming for. We offer a complimentary 20-minute call and will say plainly whether we can help.
Book a Complimentary 20-Minute Consultation
Tell us your student’s grade and the competition they are aiming for. We will say plainly whether we can help.