#United States #Washington, D.C. #EXPLR STEM Champions #National STEM Festival #Students Innovators

EXPLR Names the National STEM Champions for 2025

EXPLR, an organization dedicated to enhancing STEM education, has announced the remarkable 106 students who have been recognized as National STEM Champions. This prestigious title is awarded to young innovators whose outstanding projects reflect ingenuity in various STEM fields. The champions are set to be celebrated at the upcoming National STEM Festival in Washington, D.C., from March 19 to 22, 2025.

The selected students, ranging from grades 7-12, submitted their innovative ideas across six distinct categories: Aerospace Innovation, Environmental Stewardship, Future Food, Health and Medicine, Powering the Planet, and Tech for Good. Each champion, along with a guardian, will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the festival, where they will have the opportunity to present their projects to a wide audience including public, business, and government leaders.

Jenny Buccos, the founder and CEO of EXPLR, expressed her excitement about this initiative, stating, "Congratulations to all the students selected as National STEM Champions! EXPLR created the National STEM Festival to spotlight the next generation of innovators—students who are bold thinkers and creators with the power to make real impacts. We are thrilled to welcome our STEM Champions to the Festival this spring. Their inspiring ideas will surely resonate with everyone present."

Moreover, as part of the recognition process, select students will also receive special awards celebrating various aspects of creativity and technical prowess:

• - The AISES Indigenous Ingenuity Award recognizes Indigenous students whose research projects address significant challenges in their communities.
• - The Congressional Innovation Award commends outstanding mobile and web applications developed by students that tackle real-world issues.
• - The EXPLR Catalyst Award is given to an entrant who embodies exceptional creativity and a commitment to solving pressing societal problems through innovative solutions.
• - The Autodesk Design Make Champion Award honors a standout National STEM Champion for their impressive skills during the design and implementation of a project.

Among the esteemed National STEM Champions from across the United States, we find talents such as Aanchal Behara and Ashu Anand from Alabama, Sara DeVolld from Alaska, and Humberto Gil Villalobos and Akshay Karthik from Arizona. Each state has its own representatives, showcasing the breadth of young innovators participating in this prestigious event.

The National STEM Festival is poised to become a hub of inspiration and creativity, made possible through the generous support of co-presenting sponsors Autodesk and Broadcom Foundation, as well as numerous supporting organizations committed to advancing innovation and STEM education. This event seeks to foster a communal environment where ideas flow freely and young students can network and collaborate on future innovations.

For those unable to attend in person, virtual participation options are available, ensuring that students, educators, and the general public can engage with the innovations presented.

As we count down to the festival, the excitement surrounding the National STEM Champions and their projects continues to build, promising a celebration of creativity and ingenuity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This event recognizes not just the achievements of these young individuals but also highlights the importance of cultivating an innovative mindset among the youth of today. Their projects embody a brighter future built upon STEM principles that can lead to solutions for some of the most pressing issues facing our world today.

In summary, EXPLR's commitment to fostering young talent is exemplified with the announcement of the National STEM Champions. This festival will be a major stepping stone for future leaders in innovation, setting the stage for significant contributions to our society through STEM advancements.