NASA Award

NASA holds an annual essay competition open to members and/or dependents of active NASA members who are either post-secondary or high school students.

Congratulations to Ilinca Tomuta, Avina Ardakani, and Hailey Backstrom on winning the 2026 NASA Post-Secondary Award. This year's post-secondary student essay topic was:

Many universities, governments, and employers are reconsidering or restructuring Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives, with some replacing EDI frameworks with approaches focused on Access, Community, and Belonging (ACB) or similar concepts.

• Discuss the implications of these changes for workers, students, and unions. What are the potential benefits and/or drawbacks of such changes? 
• What factors may motivate institutions to transition away from EDI frameworks? 
• Should unions actively defend and advance EDI principles, or should such matters remain outside their primary role? Support your arguments with current examples. 

Congratulations to Eva Ross on winning the 2026 NASA High School Award. This year's high school student essay topic was:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation are rapidly changing many workplaces. Some people argue these technologies will improve productivity and create new opportunities, while others worry about job security, working conditions, and fairness.

• Describe and analyze how emerging technologies such as AI may affect workers, jobs, and workplaces.
• What role should unions play as AI increasingly integrates into the workplace?
• Use current examples to support your answer. 

You can read the winning essays below.