(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) and University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) students are sending an experiment into space. The trip is made possible with the help of NASA, SpaceX, the International Space Station (ISS), and the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program. The students' faculty mentor, Dr. McKenna Lovejoy, said this could completely reshape how we think about growing food in space. "(The) team's already presented at a conference, and has a published conference-preceding paper. It's like this crazy opportunity to really give our students and this local community this really great opportunity," said Dr. Lovejoy as she got choked up. "You're competing with graduate students and the chances are really slim." They're studying crystalline structures with the hope of improving fertilizers, manufacturing, and potentially even medicine. The research team is made up of three students. One student, Blake MacDonald, said he never expected to get an opportunity like this. He says studying crystalline structures has far-reaching impacts, both here on earth and up in outer space. "We listed fertilizers as one of the examples. It wouldn't be growing food in space like on the ISS, it would be growing food in space like on a foreign planet," said MacDonald. MacDonald started at PPSC as a history major, and said this project completely changed the trajectory of his career and life. He got involved with the experiment over a year ago, graduated from PPSC as a history major in May, and is now studying biology at UCCS. He said he is thrilled to be selected for the prestigious program. Now, the experiment is in the hands of NASA, and astronauts will soon work with his samples. While it may sound complex, he wants people to know it's something that anyone could do if they get involved and really put their mind to it. "I think the most exciting part, is the fact that they're allowing students to be able to participate within space research. It's something that's been cut off from a lot of people due to money or time constraints and stuff like that," said MacDonald. "(It) feels great. It's something my mom always brags about. She's like, 'Oh, my son's doing a research project with NASA', you know." Dr. Lovejoy echoed his sentiments, and said students of any major can get involved with future projects. She's currently writing proposals for the next mission with other students, hoping to send even more experiments into space through the program. "They don't have to be an engineering student, they don't have to be a STEM student. Anybody can come in, and get an opportunity to have a really good shot at flying an experiment to the International Space Station, where real astronauts are going to engage with that," said Dr. Lovejoy. The three students and Dr. Lovejoy will travel to the Kennedy Space Center for the launch, which is currently scheduled for Nov. 4. Then, it's a four to six week wait for their project to return back to earth for analysis. Ava Hull's mission patch, soon headed to the International Space Station. Shelby Ransom's mission patch, soon headed to the International Space Station. Two 'mission patches' designed by local grade school students are also going on the flight. Ava Hull from Bristol Elementary School had her drawing selected, as well as Shelby Ransom from Thrive Homeschool Academy. The two mission patches were chosen out of over 350 submissions.