Cowley College Alumni Win Top Honors at 48-Hour Lunar Innovation Hackathon
- BowerComm Marketing
- Dec 23, 2025
- 1 min read
Cowley College alumni Spencer MacLaughlin, Danny Ball, and Marcell Lozano were recently recognized for their standout performance at a hackathon by Wichita State University in partnership with Lockheed Martin Skunk Works.
The competition challenged teams to develop solutions for real engineering problems tied to future NASA and Lockheed Martin plans for establishing a lunar base. Focusing on sustainable food production in space, their prototype featured a semi-autonomous hydroponic system for growing sporeless oyster mushrooms—designed to reduce maintenance time and contamination risks for lunar crews.
The team advanced to the final round, impressing judges with their innovation, collaboration, and real-world application. For MacLaughlin, the experience reinforced the value of starting at a community college.
“Coming into WSU as a transfer student, I was nervous that I’d struggle to keep up,” he shared. “Those nerves disappeared once I realized how prepared I truly was. The faculty and staff at Cowley gave me the skills I needed to succeed. Going to Cowley was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Their success highlights how an associate degree can provide a powerful launchpad for continued academic and career achievement.
