Arlington, Va., Sept. 8, 2020 –Toshiba and the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) are kicking off the 29^th annual Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision competition, which is now officially open for entries. The ExploraVision program, sponsored by Toshiba and administered by NSTA, challenges students to use problem solving, critical thinking and teamwork to imagine solutions to real-life issues. Participants will have a chance to win a number of prizes, including $10,000 U.S. Series EE Savings Bonds (at maturity). Registration is now open until Feb. 8, 2021 at ExploraVision.org.

Through the competition, teams of two to four students are challenged to identify a problem facing our world, research scientific principles and current technologies, and design innovative solutions that could exist in the next 10 or more years. Semi-finalists then create websites and prototypes to further bring these concepts to life. Last year’s winning ideas ranged from a proposed method to reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to a water-bound drone that will reduce ocean pollution.

Since the program launched in 1992, ExploraVision has helped nearly 450,000 students across the United States and Canada to cultivate a life-long passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The competition provides a turnkey solution for teachers to excite and engage students, virtually and in person, in the science and engineering practices found in the Next Generation Science Standards – such as asking questions and defining problems, planning and carrying out investigations, and analyzing and interpreting data.

“We’re thrilled to sponsor the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision program for its 29^th consecutive year,” said Ayumi Wada Chairwoman & CEO, Toshiba America, Inc. “We believe that fostering a passion for STEM from a young age is key to empowering the next generation of innovators and to realizing a brighter future for our world.”

“Year after year, we are struck by the ingenuity, commitment, and passion for innovation that students bring to this competition,” said Elizabeth Allan, President, NSTA. “We look forward to seeing the imaginative projects of this year’s entrants, and how their creative problem-solving and inspiring solutions are helping to make a real difference in the lives of others.”

Competition Opportunities & Prizes for Students

Student teams 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 finalist phases to the competition, regional and national. In the regional phase, the 24 winning teams from six regions across the United States and Canada will receive a plaque for their school, and each member of the team will receive a Chrome book and additional prizes.

In 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. If health and safety considerations allow, all first- and second-place national winners will receive an expense-paid trip for themselves, their parents/guardians and teachers or mentors to Washington, D.C. for an awards weekend in June 2021. 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, while also being formally recognized for their creativity and accomplishments.  

Teachers looking to add project-based learning to the classrooms can visit https://www.exploravision.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers to receive free downloadable STEM lesson plans.

To enter for the 2020/2021 competition, visit www.exploravision.org. Follow ExploraVision on Twitter at @ToshibaAmerica and Facebook www.Facebook.com/ToshibaAmerica for updates on the program.

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
The Arlington, Va.-based National Science Teaching Association is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence in science teaching and learning, preschool through college. NSTA’s membership includes approximately 40,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business representatives and others involved in science education.

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Contact
Julie Crimmins
Ketchum
(919) 358-1783
julie.crimmins@ketchum.com

Kate Falk
National Science Teaching Association
(703) 312-9211
kfalk@nsta.org