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

National Winners of 34^th Annual Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Science Competition to Be Commended at Awards Celebration

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This week, the national winners of the 34^th annual ExploraVision program, the world’s largest K-12 science competition, will gather in Washington, D.C. 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 34 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 5^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 leadership council members, and leaders in education policy. High-profile attendees include Bill Nye the Science Guy; Mr. Takehiro Shimada, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan; Justin “Mr. Fascinate” Shaifer; Ms. Liz Jackson, Acting Director of the USPTO’s Northeast Regional Outreach Office; Mr. Ken Takagi, President & CEO, Toshiba America, Inc.; Mr. Bob Lay, Chief Executive Officer, NSTA; Dr. Donna Governor, President, NSTA; and Ms. Emily Pendas, past ExploraVision winner.

More Than Just a Science Competition
More than 2,000 teams participated in the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision competition this year, representing nearly 6,000 students from across the United States and Canada. This year’s winners created projects that can potentially protect the environment, prevent diseases and make our roads safer. Winning projects include:

2026 First-Place Winners:
Grade K-3: The UnderWatch LifeGuard
Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary School
Folsom, CA
Project Storyboard here

Grade 4-6: BUG BOTICS: Technology Meets Sustainable Farming
Willow Springs Elementary School
Fairfax, VA
Project Website here

Grade 7-9: Micro-Gap Thermal Diode for Passive Heat Control
Lowery Freshman Center
Allen, TX
Project Website here

Grade 10-12: SYNCARDIA: Mechanogated Cardiac Regeneration
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Alexandria, VA
Project Website here

2026 Second-Place Winners
Grade K-3: Buddy Band
Deep Creek Central Elementary School and North Landing Elementary School
Chesapeake, VA and Virginia Beach, VA
Project Storyboard here

Grade 4-6: SMART SOCK
St. Thomas the Apostle
Miami, FL
Project Website here

Grade 7-9: Modified IPSC Tregs Combating CBI in Alzheimer’s
Academies of Loudoun
Leesburg, VA
Project Website here

Grade 10-12: ReACT-SHM: Responsive Concrete Technology
Jericho High School
Jericho, NY
Project Website here

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 on the 2026/2027 program, visit https://www.exploravision.org/ or email [e-mail]. Follow ExploraVision on X at @ToshibaAmerica, Instagram at @Toshiba_STEMEducation, or join the ExploraVision Facebook Fan Page at www.Facebook.com/ToshibaAmerica.

About Toshiba
For over 150 years, Toshiba Group has contributed to the betterment of society through its business activities. Today, guided by the corporate philosophy of “Committed to People, Committed to the Future,” the Group supports the advance toward a sustainable future through its wide range of businesses in Energy, Digital Infrastructure, and Devices & Technology.
In fiscal year 2025, Toshiba Group recorded sales of 3.7 trillion yen and had 94,000 employees worldwide.
Find out more on our website or follow us 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 Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or Bluesky.