Registration Now Open for World’s Largest K-12 Science Competition
Today, registration is officially open for the 2016-2017
Toshiba/National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) ExploraVision
competition, kicking off the 25th year of the world’s largest
K-12 science competition. Sponsored by Toshiba and administered by NSTA,
the ExploraVision program challenges participants to use
problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration skills to build
solutions to common issues found in every day life. Student participants
will have a chance to win a number of great prizes, including $10,000
U.S. Series EE Savings Bonds (at maturity). Registration is now open
until February 6, 2017 at ExploraVision.org.
Since its inception in 1992, ExploraVision has inspired students and
teachers to develop a lifelong passion for science, technology and
innovation. The program encourages participants to engage in many of the
science and engineering practices found in the Next Generation
Science Standards (NGSS)—such as Asking Questions and Defining
Problems, Planning and Carrying Out Investigations, and Analyzing and
Interpreting Data.
Teams of two to four students are challenged to research scientific
principles and current technologies to design innovations that could
exist in 20 years to solve a problem facing the world. With support from
a teacher and an optional mentor, students simulate real scientific
research to outline how they plan to evaluate their ideas and create
mock websites to illustrate their concepts.
Over the past quarter century, the program has helped more than 360,000
students across the United States and Canada develop interests in
science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education at an early
age, as well as expand their imaginations and creativity. Last year’s
winning projects ranged from a scanning device that detects the presence
of deer ticks on the human body, to a bionic eye implant for people who
have damaged or deteriorating retinas.
“We are very proud of the impact that the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision
program has had over the past 25 years,” said Fumio Otani, Chairman &
CEO, Toshiba America, Inc. “At Toshiba, we believe that creativity is
crucial to the scientific process, and we are proud to sponsor this
science competition as part of our company’s commitment to the growth
and development of the next generation of innovators.”
“The ExploraVision competition highlights the truly amazing potential
that today’s generation of students hold,” said Dr. David Evans, NSTA
Executive Director. “Since its inception, this program has not only
served as a dynamic learning tool for educators, but has also
complemented national STEM education initiatives by encouraging
participants to enhance teamwork, problem solving and creative
collaboration skills.”
Competition Opportunities & Prizes for Students
Student teams of two to four (with a teacher and optional adult mentor)
compete in groups based on their grade levels: primary (K-3), upper
elementary (4-6), middle level (7-9), and high school (10-12). There are
two winner phases to the competition – regional and national. The 24
winning teams from six regions across the United States and Canada will
receive a Toshiba laptop for their school, and each member of the team
will receive additional science and technology-related gifts.
For the national phase, members of first-place nationally winning teams
each receive a $10,000 U.S. Series EE Savings Bond (at maturity).
Members of second place nationally winning teams will each receive a
$5,000 U.S. Series EE Savings Bond (at maturity). Canadian winners
receive Canada bonds purchased for the equivalent issue price in
Canadian dollars. All first and second place national winners will
receive an expense-paid trip for themselves, their parents/guardians,
teachers and mentors to Washington, D.C. for a gala awards weekend in
June 2017. Activities will include a visit to Capitol Hill to meet with
members of Congress and a Science Showcase during which the students
will display and demonstrate their winning ideas. The Toshiba/NSTA
ExploraVision weekend will culminate with a gala awards banquet and
ceremony where students will be formally recognized for their creativity
and accomplishments.
Educator Resources & Benefits
This year, ExploraVision is offering special incentives and resources
for teachers to help them integrate the competition into their
curricula. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of
ExploraVision, the top 25 teachers who submit more than 25 eligible
online entries will receive a science and technology-related gifts. For
more information about prizing, visit http://www.exploravision.org/prizes.
Teachers can also learn more about the benefits of participation from
past teacher participants on Toshiba’s YouTube
channel. To enter the 2016/2017 competition, visit www.exploravision.org.
Follow ExploraVision on Twitter at @ToshibaInnovate
and join the ExploraVision Facebook Fan Page at www.Facebook.com/ToshibaInnovation
.
About Toshiba
Toshiba
Corporation
, a Fortune Global 500 company, channels
world-class capabilities in advanced electronic and electrical product
and systems into three focus business fields: Energy that sustains
everyday life, that is cleaner and safer; Infrastructure that sustains
quality of life; and Storage that sustains the advanced information
society. Guided by the principles of The Basic Commitment of the Toshiba
Group, “Committed to People, Committed to the Future”, Toshiba promotes
global operations and is contributing to the realization of a world
where generations to come can live better lives. Founded in Tokyo in
1875, today’s Toshiba is at the heart of a global network of 550
consolidated companies employing 188,000 people worldwide, with annual
sales surpassing 5.6 trillion yen (US$50 billion). (As of March 31,
2016.)
Toshiba
America, Inc.
is the holding company for five Toshiba operating
companies in the United States and employs over 16,000 people in North
America.
For more information visit
www.toshiba.com
About NSTA
The Arlington, VA-based
National
Science Teachers Association
(NSTA) is the largest
professional organization in the world promoting excellence and
innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current
membership includes approximately 55,000 science teachers, science
supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry
representatives, and others involved in science education.
