Twenty-Four Winning Teams Recognized for Innovative Solutions to the World’s Challenges
Toshiba and the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) announced today the regional winners of the 34th annual Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision program, the world’s largest K-12 science competition designed to build problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration skills that are central to the Next Generation Science Standards.
This year’s regional winners’ projects include innovative ideas ranging from a new structural health monitoring system to detect damage in concrete to using AI to diagnose Osteosarcoma. The 24 regional winning teams will receive an awards ceremony at their school where they will receive Chromebooks to support the creation of a prototype, virtual posters, team websites, and short videos showcasing the team’s technology for the national judging phase of the competition.
“Toshiba believes the future is built by those who are willing to explore it,” said Tom Kumagai, Chairman & CEO, Toshiba America, Inc. “The creativity, communication, and collaboration skills learned while participating in ExploraVision empowers students to move beyond textbooks to tackle the real-world challenges of today. The sparkle I see when students showcase there is awe-inspiring and clearly shows that the future of innovation is within the capable hands of these young minds.”
ExploraVision participants are challenged to envision a new technology 10 or more years in the future through collaborative brainstorming and research of a current technology. Using scientific research and engineering design, students outlined methods to plan their ideas. In the national judging phase of the competition, the winning regional teams are asked to build a prototype, design a website, and create a short video to present their ideas to the public.
“ExploraVision demonstrates what’s possible when students are empowered to think boldly and apply science to real-world challenges,” said NSTA President Beverly DeVore-Wedding, Ph.D. “These regional winners embody the creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking that drive innovation forward. Their accomplishments reflect not only their talent and dedication, but also the impact of outstanding educators who inspire students to develop solutions that can improve lives and strengthen communities.”
Some of the winning solutions included:
- Medical Technology Innovations: Several winning regional projects focused on innovations to improve the life of individuals including a sock that can detect abnormalities as a person walks and transmits the data to medical professionals for a treatment plan, a tooth-borne retainer monitoring health through saliva analysis, a non-invasive oxygen delivery wearable patch inspired by fish gills and frog skin respiration, and a contact lens that measures retinal blood flow to predict migraine attacks before the symptoms begin.
- Energy and Power Technology Innovations: A middle school team proposed a new method for controlling the direction of heat flow without fans, fluids, or external power.
- Lifesaving Innovations: An elementary team proposed an underwater robot that could rescue someone who may be drowning by using a drone camera and AI to monitor swimmers for signs of drowning.
In the next phase of the competition, the 24 regional winners will advance to national judging. Four first- place and four second-place teams will be selected as national winners. Members of first-place national winning teams each receive a $10,000 U.S. Series EE Savings Bond (at maturity). Members of second-place national winning teams will each receive a $5,000 U.S. Series EE Savings Bond (at maturity). All first- and second-place national winners will be formally recognized for their creativity and accomplishments at an ExploraVision awards ceremony on June 5th.
Since its inception in 1992, close to 450,000 students from across the United States and Canada have participated in the ExploraVision program. For 34 consecutive years, the program has helped students expand their imagination and experience the excitement of innovation while developing an interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education at an early age. To learn more, visit https://www.exploravision.org/.
For more information, visit www.exploravision.org or email exploravision@nsta.org. Follow ExploraVision on X at @ToshibaAmerica, Instagram at @Toshiba_STEMEducation, or join the ExploraVision Facebook Fan Page at www.Facebook.com/ToshibaAmerica.
