ARLINGTON, Va.— The Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Program, the world’s largest K–12 student science competition and a longtime proponent of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education, is being showcased as one of several STEM-related programs at the Education Writers Association STEM Science Fair at the University of Maryland on February 8th. Four students will represent ExploraVision with their 2012 regional award winning project in a seminar discussion entitled “Under the Microscope: Examining STEM Education.”
ExploraVision: 21 Years of Leadership in STEM Education
The selection of Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision program at the Education Writers Association STEM Science Fair reflects the program’s 21-year history of leadership and innovation in STEM education. Since its inception, ExploraVision has always remained true to its core mission, to inspire and motivate students in important STEM fields. This year, ExploraVision unveiled several key changes that align the program more closely with the National Research Council’s (NRC) Framework for K–12 Science Education, which will help define science education for the next 20 years and is a foundation for the development of the Next Generation Science Standards. Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision is one of the first national competitions to align its efforts with this new initiative. As a testament to the program’s value as a STEM educational tool, many teachers across the country now incorporate ExploraVision into their regular science curriculum, and for many former ExploraVision winners, the program has served as encouragement to pursue further science-related careers.
About the ExploraVision Program
ExploraVision challenges students, working in teams of two to four, to research scientific principles and current technologies as the basis for designing innovative technologies that could exist in 20 years. The hands-on program has evolved over the years, and continues to encourage young people to tap into their creativity, use critical-thinking, and combine it with the tools of science and technology to come up with ideas and inventions that could make the world a better place in the future. With its multi-level, imaginative, and fun approach to learning, the program is designed to appeal to a broad range of students of all interest, skill, and ability levels. Since the program’s inception in 1992, more than 300,000 students have submitted projects.
About the Regional Winning Students
The students participating in the Education Writers Association STEM Science Fair, Ramya Radhakrishnan, Sreya Atluri, Heather Lukas, and Tara Abrishami, are all sophomores at Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology in Alexandria, Va. They will present their award-winning project “Scar-Aid: Chemical Mediator Bandage.” “Scar-Aid” is a futuristic type of chemical mediator bandage that would prevent hypertrophic and keloid scar formation. It works by creating a template for cell growth of the epidermis by utilizing a 3D matrix containing chemical mediators, enabling the rapid production of collagen during the healing process to be slowed down to a normal rate, helping prevent scars.
The students from Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology, were selected last year as one of 24 regional winning teams from a group of 4,809 entries. A total of 14,606 students participated in the 2012 Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision program.
For more information, visit www.exploravision.org or e-mail exploravision@nsta.org . Follow ExploraVision on Twitter at @ToshibaInnovate or join Toshiba Innovation’s Facebook Page at www.Facebook.com/ToshibaInnovation to hear more about ExploraVision.
About Toshiba
Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, tablets, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances. Toshiba was founded in 1875, and employs over 20,000 people in North America and Toshiba America, Inc., is the holding company for five Toshiba operating companies in the United States.
Toshiba’s North-America based companies and some of their chief products are as follows: Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (Semiconductors, Flash Memory-Based Storage Solutions, LCD, custom chips , and Hard Disk Drives); Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (Laptop Computers, Telephony Products , Flat Panel LCD TVs, and portable products); Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc. (Copiers, Facsimiles, Printers); Toshiba International Corporation (Motors, Motor Controls, Power Electronics, Power Generation Equipment, Automation); Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. (Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance, X-ray and Ultrasound); Toshiba America Nuclear Energy Corporation (Advanced Boiling Water Nuclear Reactors); Toshiba America Foundation (Supports science and mathematics education across the United States) and Toshiba of Canada, Ltd. (Made up of four operating divisions).
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 60,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.
Contacts
Katherine Higuera-McCoy
DBA Public Relations
(212) 388-1400
khmccoy@dba-pr.com
Kate Falk
National Science Teachers Association
(703) 312-9211
kfalk@nsta.org