Harmony High School Juniors Present “Project Hail Mary Symposium” Showcasing Science, Literature, and Imagination

Gilmer, TX – On May 15, the junior class at Harmony High School participated in a unique joint-curricular event: The Project Hail Mary Symposium, inspired by Andy Weir’s bestselling science fiction novel Project Hail Mary. The event was the culmination of a co-taught unit led by Physics teacher Dana Carter and English III teacher Laura Bowin, designed to integrate rigorous scientific study with literary analysis.

Throughout the semester, students explored a wide range of physics topics reflected in the novel, including electromagnetic radiation, gravity, velocity, time dilation, and pendulum motion. In their English course, students examined global collaboration, authorial diction, Christ figures in literature, and real-world applications such as biofuel research and invasive species management.

The novel’s central theme—the importance of international scientific cooperation—served as the foundation for the symposium. In the spirit of professional science research events, students were challenged to design and present original projects that combined both scientific and literary elements.

A major feature of the symposium was the design of fictional alien species adapted to real planets or exoplanets. Students created 3D models, illustrations, and even baked goods to bring their species to life. One standout group developed a written language for a sentient species from Mercury. Projects were presented as research posters or live talks, and judged for creativity, scientific grounding, and presentation quality.

Participation in the symposium reached an impressive 93% of the junior class. Project topics included adaptive biology, special and general relativity, planetary science, invasive species, biofuel alternatives, and literary archetypes.

Award Winners:

• Poster Presentations
  • 1st Place: Jakob Chasteen – Astrophage as Biofuel
  • 2nd Place: Emma Blackstone – Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace
  • 3rd Place: Tommy Thomison – The Pros and Cons of AI Use
• Talk Presentations
  • 1st Place: Chloe Alphin, Triniti Mauk, and Avery Hogue – Vesperilius Draconis: A Sentient Being Developed for an Exoplanet
  • 2nd Place: Jakob Chasteen and Keaton Jackson – Mer cu’an: An Intelligent Life Form Adapted to Mercury
  • 3rd Place: Mally Davidson, Kara Schoon, and Kailyn Barber – Susmacrochus: An Alien Adapted to Uranus
• People’s Choice Award: Jadon Arispe

The event was made possible with generous donations from Etex, which provided lunch and prizes, and CUTX, which supplied desserts. Special thanks go to the junior class students for their creativity and hard work, and to the many faculty members who supported the event’s success.