Skip to Content
Hilton MENU
DoubleTree by Hilton
Select Hotel Brand
  • Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
  • LXR Hotels & Resorts
  • Conrad Hotels & Resorts
  • Canopy By Hilton
  • Signia by Hilton
  • Hilton Hotels & Resorts
  • Curio Collection by Hilton
  • Tapestry Collection by Hilton
  • Embassy Suites by Hilton
  • Motto by Hilton
  • Hilton Garden Inn
  • Hampton by Hilton
  • Tru by Hilton
  • Homewood Suites by Hilton
  • Home2 Suites by Hilton
  • Hilton Honors
Urgent Media Requests
  • DoubleTree by Hilton
  • Read the News
    • Press Releases
  • About the Brand
    • About Us
    • Executive Bios
  • Media Resources
    • Download Photos
    • Logos
    • Fact Sheets
    • Media Inquiries
  • Signature, Warm Cookie
    • Cookies in Space
    • 2019 Cook(ie) Book
    • 2018 Cook(ie) Book
    • 2017 Cook(ie) Book
  • Contact Us
  • DoubleTree by Hilton
  • MENU
    • Read the News
      • Press Releases
    • About the Brand
      • About Us
      • Executive Bios
    • Media Resources
      • Download Photos
      • Logos
      • Fact Sheets
      • Media Inquiries
    • Signature, Warm Cookie
      • Cookies in Space
      • 2019 Cook(ie) Book
      • 2018 Cook(ie) Book
      • 2017 Cook(ie) Book
    • Contact Us
Credit: Matthew Sokoloski of Grand Blanc East Middle School
Food & Beverage Community

DoubleTree by Hilton Celebrates Next Generation of Travelers – on Earth and in Space – with Live Q&A Between Middle School Students and Astronaut on International Space Station

After its famous chocolate chip cookies became the first food baked in space, DoubleTree by Hilton, Scholastic and Nanoracks surprised the winning middle school of their recent contest at an out-of-this-world event

February 20, 2020

Share

Winning Opening Doors in Space Contest Submission by Alayna Broome of Grand Blanc East Middle School
Winning Opening Doors in Space Contest Submission by Alayna Broome of Grand Blanc East Middle School
Download Article Photos

MCLEAN, Va. - For many, “getting away” means visiting the beach or an urban locale, but soon, there may be another popular destination: space. As the first hospitality brand to participate in research aboard the International Space Station (ISS), DoubleTree by Hilton, together with Scholastic, invited 50,000 middle school classrooms around the United States to participate in its Opening Doors in Space educational program and contest, which encouraged students to think creatively about how to innovate long-duration space travel to make it more comfortable and hospitable. The hospitality brand developed the educational program and contest to complement its successful efforts surrounding the famous DoubleTree chocolate chip cookies becoming the first food baked in space. 

The contest, which took place during the fall of 2019, received close to 3,000 submissions from middle school students across the country. Alayna Broome, an eighth grade student at Grand Blanc East Middle School in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, earned the grand prize award for her submission, which detailed a space garden that functions as a sustainable food source, as well as serves as a symbol of comfort to make travelers feel at home, no matter where they are.

In addition to prizes delivered to Alayna and her science teacher, Angela Bussinger, DoubleTree by Hilton, Scholastic and Nanoracks treated Grand Blanc East Middle School to an out-of-this-world surprise: on Feb. 19, more than 300 eighth grade students had the opportunity to have a video call with NASA Astronaut Dr. Jessica Meir, who is currently aboard the ISS, and ask questions about the recent DoubleTree chocolate chip cookie baking experiment, life aboard the ISS and what she predicts the future holds for space travel. 

“Our students, local officials and teachers—myself included—were thrilled for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to speak to an astronaut in space,” said Bussinger. “This event underscored our ongoing efforts to encourage our students—the next generation—to engage with STEM subjects in school and throughout their lives. They left the experience elated and filled with possibility, and we are all honored to have been a part of this incredible event.” 

Joining the school’s students, staff and principal was Superintendent Clarence Garner and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Trevor Alward of Grand Blanc Schools, as well as Grand Blanc Board of Education members Yasmeen Youngs and Meredith Anderson. Additional attendees included City of Grand Blanc Councilman John Creasey and Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, who asked Dr. Meir a question and shared praises and words of encouragement with the students. Photos of the event can be viewed here.

“The future depends on resilient and thriving societies—on Earth or in space,” said Shawn McAteer, senior vice president and global head, DoubleTree by Hilton. “With space travel on the frontier, we hope this program encourages the next generation of travelers to explore careers in hospitality and positively impact communities and the environment. We are inspired by bright young minds like Alayna, as we continue our journey to redefine sustainable travel through our Travel with Purpose 2030 Goals.” 

Student submissions to the Opening Doors in Space contest reflected a wide range of creativity and critical thinking as students considered the impact of microgravity, resource efficiency and the complexities of communicating with Earth. Submissions were judged based on the proposed innovation’s originality, creativity, effectiveness, clarity of message and overall quality. Runner-up Raine C., an eighth-grade student from Hawaii, received a science prize pack for her proposed space hotel that spins to create Earth-like gravity and boasts comfortable guest rooms, a fitness center and VIP rooms for hotel team members.  

Learn more about the DoubleTree by Hilton and Scholastic joint initiative, as well as the hospitality brand’s historic baking experiment by visiting www.newsroom.hilton.com/cookiesinspace and www.cookiesinspace.com.

About Scholastic

To learn more about Scholastic, visit its media room at: mediaroom.scholastic.com.

About Nanoracks

Nanoracks LLC, an XO Markets company, is the world’s leading commercial space station company. Nanoracks believes commercial space utilization will enable innovation through in-space manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, fiber optics – and more, allow for transformational Earth observation, and make space a key player in finding the solution to Earth’s problems. 

Today, the company offers low-cost, high-quality solutions to the most pressing needs for satellite deployment, basic and educational research, and more –in over 30 nations worldwide. Since 2009, Texas-based Nanoracks has truly created new markets and ushered in a new era of in-space-services, dedicated to making space just another place to do business.

About DoubleTree by Hilton

DoubleTree by Hilton is a fast-growing, global portfolio of more than 600 upscale hotels with more than 138,000 rooms across 47 countries. For more than 50 years, DoubleTree by Hilton has continued to be a symbol of comfort for business and leisure travelers around the world, from welcoming guests with its signature warm DoubleTree chocolate chip cookie, to serving the local community. DoubleTree by Hilton offers contemporary accommodations and amenities, including unique food and beverage experiences, state-of-the-art fitness offerings and meetings and events spaces. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. To make reservations, travelers may visit doubletree.com. Connect with DoubleTree by Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Learn about the latest brand news at newsroom.hilton.com/doubletree.

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 18 world-class brands comprising more than 6,300 properties and more than one million rooms, in 118 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the world’s most hospitable company, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on the 2020 World’s Best Workplaces list, and was named the 2020 Global Industry Leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. In 2020, Hilton CleanStay was introduced, bringing an industry-defining standard of cleanliness and disinfection to hotels worldwide. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 110 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy, plus enjoy instant benefits, including contactless check-in with room selection, Digital Key, and Connected Room. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

Download Article Photos

Media Contact

Hilton Corporate Communications
hiltonpr@hilton.com

Winning Opening Doors in Space Contest Submission by Alayna Broome of Grand Blanc East Middle School
Winning Opening Doors in Space Contest Submission by Alayna Broome of Grand Blanc East Middle School
View More News

Photo Download

These photographs are protected by copyright laws and are only to be used with authorization from Hilton, which may be revoked by Hilton at any time, in Hilton's sole discretion. Changing of the material through photo compositing to through other electronic means is strictly prohibited. These photos are to be used associated with editorial material about Hilton, Hilton's world-class brands, or specific Hilton properties. Each photo may be used after downloading from this site for these purposes unless and until Hilton revokes your permission to use such photos, which Hilton may do at any time, for any or no reason. Usage of the photos for other means requires prior written approval. For use in media publications, please use "© 2021 Hilton". The usage is free of charge if not noted otherwise. By downloading this photo, you agree to these terms.

In order for this site to work properly for you, please make sure your browser cookies are not disabled.

Okay

Connect

  • Site Map
  • RSS Feed
  • Book A Room
  • Customer Service

Media Contacts

Hilton Brand Communications
7930 Jones Branch Drive
McLean, Virginia 22102
Media Inquiries Email Us
  • About Hilton
  • Our Brands
    • Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts

    • LXR Hotels & Resorts

    • Conrad Hotels & Resorts

    • Canopy by Hilton

    • Signia Hilton

    • Hilton Hotels & Resorts

    • Curio Collection by Hilton

    • DoubleTree by Hilton

    • Tapestry Collection by Hilton

    • Embassy Suites by Hilton

    • Tempo by Hilton

    • Motto by Hilton

    • Hilton Garden Inn

    • Hampton by Hilton

    • Tru by Hilton

    • Homewood Suites by Hilton

    • Home2 Suites by Hilton

    • Hilton Grand Vacations

    • Hilton Honors

  • Corporate News
  • Sign up for Email Alerts
  • Awards
  • Contact Us
    • Hilton.com
    • Development
    • Careers
    • Corporate Responsibility
    • Investors

Hotel Feedback