Three students from Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest scored the fourth-highest point total in their division at NASA’s 2025 Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC). Seniors Sara Bult and Zara Dimovski and junior Gabrielle Babinski were among 75 teams chosen to participate in the competition, held in April at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center near the agency’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Woodlands Academy just missed an official recognition of its first year of HERC eligibility as only those finishing in the top three spots of a division receive awards.

Described as NASA’s leading international student challenge, this 31st annual HERC reflected goals of the Artemis campaign, which seeks to land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon while establishing a long-term presence for science and exploration. Teams selected for this year’s event represented 35 colleges and universities, 38 high schools, and two middle schools from 20 states, Puerto Rico and 16 other nations worldwide.

Woodlands Academy’s team was chosen based on the 20-page proposal it submitted to NASA, which included design plans for the rover they would build under the guidance of fine arts and engineering teacher Justin Goh. Woodlands’ team members then put their rover to the test against other high school/middle school entrants in the newly created Remote-Controlled (RC) division.

This new category gave Woodlands Academy, an all-girls college-preparatory high school, its first opportunity to participate in HERC. Previously, teams had to have at least one male member because the event utilized only human-powered rovers. The RC division requires solving complex scientific tasks with a rover built to traverse a U.S. Space and Rocket Center obstacle course. RC teams also must attempt two mission tasks to help determine a suitable location for a future NASA Human Landing System-crewed landing.

“This project has taught me more about behind-the-scenes engineering work,” Bult said. “Not only the process of building [the rover] – and actually designing it – but also what design reports contain and all of the things that NASA does.”

For Dimovski, the Human Exploration Rover Challenge has been an unforgettable experience. “It challenged me to push beyond my limits, built a bond with my teammates that I’ll never forget, and gave me the chance to be part of something truly innovative,” she said. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved as a team and grateful for the lessons I’ll carry into the future.”

Since its inception in 1994, more than 15,000 students have participated in HERC – with many former students now working at NASA or within the aerospace industry. And Woodlands Academy’s team members could well be joining them. Babinski currently hopes to be an aerospace engineer, Dimovski is interested in a mechanical engineering career, and Bult has her sights set on actuarial science and risk management vocations.

“This student design challenge encourages the next generation of scientists and engineers to engage in the design process by providing innovative concepts and unique perspectives,” said Vemitra Alexander, who leads the challenge for NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement at Marshall Space Flight Center.

HERC is a rigorous and continuously evolving activity that engages students in hands-on engineering design related to NASA’s missions. Participants typically benefit throughout their academic and professional lives by enhancing their communication, collaboration, inquiry and problem-solving skills. 

Photo: Woodlands Academy’s participants in the 31st annual NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge (from left) Sara Bult, Gabrielle Babinski and Zara Dimovski display the vehicle they designed and built.