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Students Gather as Winners of World’s Largest K-12 Science Competition

June 11, 2024

National Winners of 32^nd Annual Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Science Competition to Be Commended at Awards Celebration

MCLEAN, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#ExploraVision–Today, the national winners of the 32^nd annual ExploraVision program, the world’s largest K-12 science competition, gathered in Washington, DC to be formally recognized for their winning projects. ExploraVision is sponsored by Toshiba and administered by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA). This competition is designed to help students develop skills emphasized in the Next Generation Science Standards, including problem-solving, critical-thinking and collaboration skills. To participate, students were challenged to imagine and come up with an idea for a tool or technology of the future with the potential to solve the world’s critical problems.

Fostering young minds’ interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) is at the core of Toshiba—a company committed to raising the quality of life for people around the world. This commitment drove the company to partner with NSTA to create the ExploraVision competition in 1992. For 32 consecutive years, ExploraVision has helped children to expand their imaginations and have fun while developing an interest in STEM education at an early age.

Science Showcase

During the Science Showcase on June 14^th, the eight winning student teams will showcase their prototypes and self-designed project websites. The students will present to members of the press, their peers, parents, educators, previous ExploraVision winners, NSTA board and council members, and leaders in education policy. High-profile attendees include Bill Nye the Science Guy; Justin “Mr. Fascinate” Shaifer; Taro Shimada, President and CEO, Toshiba Corporation;. Alicia Conerly, president, NSTA; and Dr. Katie Cueva, Research Assistant Professor of University of Alaska Fairbanks and past ExploraVision winner.

More Than Just a Science Competition

Over 2,000 teams entered projects in the 32^nd Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision competition, comprised of close to 6,000 students from across the United States and Canada. This year’s winners have gone above and beyond to think critically and creatively about the biggest problems facing our world, from healthcare challenges to sustainability efforts to energy efficiency. Winning projects include:

Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision 2024 National Winners

2024 First-Place Winners
- Grade K-3: Allergen Detector — St. Thomas the Apostle, Miami, FL
  Project poster
- Grades 4-6: Plastivore Trashcan — Lester CN, Roseland, New Jersey
  Project website
- Grades 7-9: Pediabots: Harnessing Microbotic Technologies for Pediatric Surgery — Next Generation School, Champaign, IL
  Project website
- Grades 10-12: N4NO (Nanocarriers for Neuroprosthetic Optimization) – a novel noninvasive neural dust insertion method through cerebrospinal-fluid route via micelles for neuroprosthetic aid — North Carolina School of Science and Math – Durham, Durham, NC
  Project website

2024 Second-Place Winners
- Grade K-3: DermVue: Future of skin cancer diagnosis — Roy Cloud School, Redwood City, CA
  Project poster
- Grades 4-6: CyberSchool — St Andrew Catholic School, Ottawa, Ontario
  Project website
- Grades 7-9: Enhancing Photosynthesis in Trees for Carbon Reduction using Rubisco Activase — The Nueva School, San Mateo, CA
  Project website
- Grades 10-12: Mycelial batteries: incorporating electrically conductive fungi into sodium-ion batteries in order to increase their efficiency and lifespan — The Bronx High School of Science, Bronx, NY
  Project website

The eight national winning teams are comprised of a first-place winner and second-place winner from four groups based on grade 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).

For more information or to access an application for the 2024/2025 program, visit www.exploravision.org or email exploravision@nsta.org. Follow ExploraVision on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/ToshibaAmerica or join the ExploraVision Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/ToshibaAmerica.

About Toshiba

Toshiba Corporation leads a global group of companies that combines knowledge and capabilities from almost 150 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 in building infrastructure that everyone can enjoy, and a connected data society, and in achieving the Company’s ultimate goal, a future that realizes carbon neutrality and a circular economy. 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 105,000 employees worldwide secured annual sales of 3.3 trillion yen in fiscal year 2023. For more information, visit https://www.global.toshiba/ww/top.html or follow Toshiba Corporation on LinkedIn.

About Toshiba America, Inc.

Founded in 1965, Toshiba America, Inc. (TAI) is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Toshiba Corporation and the holding company of three Toshiba operating companies that offer a broad range of products and solutions for the commercial, energy and industrial sectors. The three companies, which along with TAI are known collectively as Toshiba America Group, are Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (Semiconductor & data storage solutions), Toshiba America Energy Systems, Corp. (Power generation solutions), Toshiba International Corporation (Industrial, power electronics & transmission & distribution solutions), and a Toshiba America Company, Toshiba America Business Solutions (Multifunction printers, label and receipt printers, digital signage, managed print services, and cloud solutions). For more information, visit www.toshiba.com, or follow Toshiba America on X, formerly known as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

About NSTA

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant community of 35,000 science educators and professionals 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. For more information, visit www.nsta.org, or follow NSTA on X, formerly known as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.