Gabriella Melendez, a student at Hamlin Park School 74 in Buffalo, came up with the idea of growing potatoes in space. She is pictured here with her mentor, Andrew Franz, a teacher at Hamlin Park. Photo: Douglas Levere

Tiny potatoes. These mini spuds will be placed in tubes and grown in orbit. Photo: Douglas Levere

Shaniylah Welch, left, and Toriana Cornwell examine potatoes being grown in a classroom at Hamlin Park. Photo: Douglas Levere

UB biologist Mary Bisson, right, talks with Hamlin Park students about the space potato project. From left: Toriana Cornwell, Shaniylah Welch and Gabriella Melendez, who call themselves the "spud launchers." Photo: Douglas Levere

Gabriella Melendez, center, and Shaniylah Welch (right) examine potato plants in a classroom at Hamlin Park. Photo: Douglas Levere

Tiny potatoes like the ones in this jar will be placed in tubes and grown aboard the International Space Station. Photo: Douglas Levere