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NASA challenge looking for kid engineers

Posted at 7:46 AM, Feb 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-19 14:06:24-05

A new competition will push kids to turn science fiction into reality.

NASA, the American Society for Mechanical Engineers Foundation and Star Trek are encouraging kids K-12 to participate in a new 3D printing competition in the latest Future Engineerschallenge. 

The mission: create food-related hardware. Think plastic tools and containers that will help astronauts eat nutritious meals in the year 2050 beyond the International Space Station.

NASA states in a press release the designs can include items needed to grow and harvest plants or devices to help astronauts prepare, eat or even dispose of food.

Winners can snag a variety of prizes from a trip to New York for a tour of the Space Shuttle Enterprise to a 3D printer for their school. There's also a collection of Star Trek goodies up for grabs. 

Entries close on May 1 with winners announced in July. 

Check out the full set of guidelines and rules here.