THE GRAND JAM 2026 · GETAFE

The winning projects of The Grand Jam 2026

From 3 to 5 November 2026, Getafe hosted the international final of Mars Challenge. More than 250 participants and over 30 delegations from eight countries shared ideas, projects and proposed solutions to challenges facing Earth. Discover the winning teams and recognised projects.

Puerto Rico team celebrating its international recognition with the trophy and flag in Getafe.

Winners and principal recognitions

International CHAMPS award

NovaTerra Expedition — RegoBrick

RegoBrick proposes combining the use of regolith with biological processes to develop construction materials and resources for extreme environments.

The project explores how conditions on Mars could inspire new approaches to construction and material use with potential applications on Earth.

NovaTerra Expedition, from Caribbean University and the Puerto Rico Department of Education, received the international CHAMPS award at The Grand Jam 2026.

The team was awarded an educational experience at Space Center Houston.

International multi-country MIX award

NEXUS M16

NEXUS M16 brought together young people from Spain, Costa Rica, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Peru to develop a proposal for modular, interlocking thermal panels designed to protect living spaces from extreme temperatures.

The concept could also have applications in insulating homes and shelters on Earth.

The team received the international multi-country MIX award at The Grand Jam 2026 and an educational experience at Space Center Houston.

Its members include Carla Hernández González, a student at IES Satafi in Getafe.

Schachmatt team from IES Laguna de Joatzel at its recognition.

Highest score in THE ORIGINALS

Schachmatt — S.P.E.A.R. BioGrow

S.P.E.A.R. BioGrow proposes a portable probe capable of analysing Martian soil and introducing water and microorganisms to reduce its toxicity and support cultivation.

The concept could also have applications in restoring soils contaminated by industrial and mining activities on Earth.

Schachmatt, from IES Laguna de Joatzel in Getafe, achieved the highest score in the THE ORIGINALS category at The Grand Jam 2026.

The team was awarded an analogue space exploration educational experience at the Lake Alqueva Observatory in Portugal, planned for 2027.

Original project recognitions

Original Project · Best Pitch

Lekil Kuxlejal Marte

Original Project — Best Pitch recognition.

The delegation of Indigenous Peoples from Chiapas, Mexico, received this recognition at The Grand Jam 2026 for its project presentation.

Original Project · Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Soporí Upáreame

Original Project — Environmental Impact and Sustainability recognition.

Presented by a delegation from Tecnológico Nacional de México in Chihuahua, the project received recognition for its focus on environmental impact and sustainability at The Grand Jam 2026.

Original Project · Materials Innovation

AgroMars

Original Project — Materials Innovation recognition.

AgroMars received recognition at The Grand Jam 2026 in the materials innovation category, one of the areas addressed by original projects at the international final.

Original Project · Technical Feasibility and Robotics

Marsight

Original Project — Technical Feasibility and Robotics recognition.

Marsight, from Universidad Tecnológica de Camargo in Chihuahua, Mexico, received recognition for technical feasibility and robotics at The Grand Jam 2026.

Beyond the awards: learning to make decisions together

The Grand Jam 2026 showed that the value of Mars Challenge goes beyond the projects that received recognition.

Over three days, young people from different countries and disciplines worked on complex problems, shared knowledge and made decisions together.

Using Mars as an extreme scenario helps participants explore potential solutions to real challenges on Earth while developing critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and responsibility.

Discover Mars Challenge 2027