AUGUSTA – Three pupils have won the recent statewide 6th Grade Student Essay Contest sponsored by the Maine Space Grant Consortium (NASA in Maine).

Courtney Gosnell of the Perry Elementary School won with an essay titled “Jupiter.” She is the daughter of Emily and Phillip Brame.

Jennifer Rooney of the Winthrop Middle School won with her essay, titled “The Giant of Our Solar System.” She is the daughter of Tiffiny and Robert Rooney.

Nathan Davis, home-schooled at the Lighthouse Home School in Liberty, won with his essay, titled “MARS: The Cold Red Planet.” He is the son of Jamie and Jeff Davis.

These pupils are the recipients of an all-expenses-paid trip to Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala.

An award ceremony will be held at 8 a.m. April 3 at the Maine State House, Hall of Flags, to honor the essay contest winners.

The contest, open to all sixth-grade pupils throughout Maine, generated 112 essays. Pupils who entered the contest were asked to focus their essays on one of nine space- or science-related topics. Entries were judged on the following criteria: quality of topic, quality of research, creative thinking, organization of essay, and style requirements.

Additional information about the Maine Space Grant Consortium and its programs is available by visiting: www.msgc.org or calling: (877) 397-7223.