Arlington, Va., March 12–Toshiba and the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) announced today the regional winners of the 29^th annual ExploraVision program, the 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 technology toothbrushes to a novel and more cost-effective approach to launch space rockets using reusable electromagnetic repulsion systems. The 23 winning teams will advance to the national phase of the competition, where participants will have a chance to win $10,000 U.S. Series EE Savings Bonds (at maturity) and other prizes. The winning teams will also receive Chromebooks to further assist development of the national phase portion of the competition (creation of virtual posters, websites and videos).

“This 29^th year of the ExploraVision program saw tremendous challenges for schools, teachers and students around the world. This year’s achievements in critical and creative thinking are made even more impressive by the challenges many have overcome in navigating education during COVID-19,” said Ayumi Wada, Chairwoman & CEO, Toshiba America, Inc. “We applaud our winners and all our entrants for their resilience as well as their ideas for new technologies and smart solutions that improve and enhance our lives and communities.”

ExploraVision participants were challenged to consider the future and imagine a technology that might exist 20 years from now and that might solve a problem of that future era. Using real scientific research, students outlined methods to plan and test their ideas. In the next phase of the competition, the winning regional teams will be asked to build webpages and short videos to communicate and exhibit their ideas to the public.   

“Since ExploraVision’s inception nearly 30 years ago, we’ve seen students tackle some of the biggest challenges facing their generation and this year is no exception,” said Elizabeth Allan, NSTA President. “These regional winners have demonstrated tenacity, entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and the principles of science to be forces for good. We congratulate all of the regional winning teams and their coaches, who exemplify the appetite for discovery engrained in the core of the ExploraVision program.”

Medical Technology Innovations

Several of the winning regional projects were focused on innovations to promote advancements in medical technologies, such as using molecular and genetic approaches to treat Alzheimer’s disease in the “Away with Alzheimer’s” project.  Another team looked at novel methods for lung transplantation and reconditioning. The “CT Scan To Go” project used existing scientific principles and research to think of advancements for CT scans.

Environmental Technology Innovations

Other winning regional projects were focused on reducing marine plastic pollution via “The Bio Bot” technology and promoting biodegradable waste methodologies like the “Degrade-A-Pad” and “The Shiitake Diapers-Capturing CO Poo One Diaper at a Time.”

Mechanical Technology Innovations

Winning regional projects were also focused on innovations to enhance daily activities such as brushing your teeth via “The Toothbrush of the Future” and reducing chimney waste through “Cresote and Ash Removal Device (C.A.R.D).”

In the next phase of the competition, the 23 regional winners will advance to the national level. 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 a virtual ExploraVision awards ceremony in early June.

Since its inception in 1992, more than 450,000 students from across the United States and Canada have participated in the ExploraVision program. For 29 consecutive years, the program has helped children to expand their imagination and have fun 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 Twitter at @ToshibaAmerica or join the ExploraVision Facebook Fan Page at www.Facebook.com/ToshibaAmerica.

About Toshiba
Toshiba Corporation leads a global group of companies that combines knowledge and capabilities from over 140 years of experience in a wide range of businesses—from energy and social infrastructure to electronic devices—with world-class capabilities in information processing, digital and AI technologies. These distinctive strengths support Toshiba’s continued evolution toward becoming an Infrastructure Services Company that promotes data utilization and digitization, and one of the world’s leading cyber-physical-systems technology companies. Guided by the Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, “Committed to People, Committed to the Future,” Toshiba contributes to society’s positive development with services and solutions that lead to a better world. The Group and its 130,000 employees worldwide secured annual sales surpassing 3.4 trillion yen (US$31.1 billion) in fiscal year 2019.

About Toshiba America, Inc.
Founded in 1965, Toshiba America, Inc. (TAI) is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Toshiba Corporation and the holding company of four Toshiba operating companies that offer a broad range of products and solutions for the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. The four companies, which along with TAI are known collectively as Toshiba America Group, are Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (Semiconductor solutions), Toshiba America Energy Systems, Corp. (Power generation solutions), Toshiba International Corporation (Industrial, power electronics & transmission & distribution solutions) and Toshiba America Research, Inc.(R&D).

About NSTA
Founded in 1944, the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is the largest organization in the world dedicated to promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. A vibrant community of 40,000 science educators and professionals, NSTA is committed to best practices in teaching science and its impact on student learning. NSTA offers high quality science resources and continuous learning so that science educators grow professionally and excel in their career. For new and experienced teachers alike, the NSTA community offers the opportunity to network with like-minded peers at the national level, connect with mentors and leading researchers, and learn from the best in the field.

Contacts:
Julie Crimmins, Ketchum
919-358-1783
julie.crimmins@ketchum.com

Kate Falk, NSTA 
703-312-9211
kfalk@nsta.org

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