STEM Competitions
2010 Exploravision Winners Tackle Medicine, Environment
ExploraVision, the world's largest student science competition, has announced the national winners of its 2010 awards. Co-sponsored by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and Toshiba, ExploraVision challenges participants to use science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) principles to tackle current social issues by envisioning and designing technology that could realistically exist within the next two decades.
"The innovative solutions demonstrated in the award-winning ExploraVision entries show why investment in science education is so vital to our country," said Francis Eberle, executive director of NSTA. "These inspired students found ways to address some of the most pressing issues of our day."
Nearly 14,000 students on more than 4,500 teams took part in this year's challenge, which is open to students in grades K through 12 in public and private schools, as well as those who are home schooled, throughout the United States and Canada. For the first time, half of the award-winning teams consisted entirely of girls.
Winners addressed such issues as energy and fuel shortages in the wake of growing environmental concerns, amputees potentially regrowing limbs, and possible advancements in first aid for laypeople without immediate access to medical professionals. Each member of the four first-place winning teams will receive a U.S. savings bond valued at $10,000 upon maturity, while members of second-place teams will receive $5,000 savings bonds. In addition, all winners will receive all-expenses paid trips to Washington, DC, with their families for a gala awards weekend this June.
The winning teams and their entries include:
2010 First Place Winners
Grade K-3: Sign Language Interpreter
Willow Grove Elementary, San Diego, CA
Grade 4-6: Community Algae BioReactor
Scofield Magnet Middle School, Stamford, CT
Grade 7-9: EPPIC--Ecological Paper Printer and Ink Collector
Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, Bellevue, WA
Grade 10-12: NIBEye: Neural Interfaced Bionic Eye
University Laboratory High School, Urbana, IL
2010 Second Place Winners
Grade K-3: Smart Touch First Aid Kit
Tampa Christian Community School, Tampa, FL
Grade 4-6: ACE
Fairmont Private School, Anaheim, CA
Grade 7-9: REGENX: Human Limb Regenerative Protein Cocktail Injections
Ma'ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, Teaneck, NJ
Grade 10-12: I-CEE: IKVAV--Scaffold Center-Surround Eyesight Enhancement
Stuyvesant High School, New York
About the Author
Scott Aronowitz is a freelance writer based in Las Vegas. He has covered the technology, advertising, and entertainment sectors for seven years. He can be reached here.