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Registration Now Open for World’s Largest K-12 Science Competition

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CALLING ALL FUTURE SCIENTISTS AND INNOVATORS OF THE WORLD: TOSHIBA AND NATIONAL SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION INVITE ENTRIES INTO EXPLORAVISION COMPETITION
Registration Now Open for World’s Largest K-12 Science Competition

Arlington, VA, September 1, 2015– Today, Toshiba and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) are kicking off the 24th Annual Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision program, officially opening the call for entries into the science competition. Sponsored by Toshiba and administered by NSTA, the ExploraVision program challenges participants to use problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration skills. 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 1, 2016 at ExploraVision.org.

ExploraVision encourages students 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. Through the competition, teams of 2-4 students are challenged to research scientific principles and current technologies as the basis for designing innovative technologies that could exist in 20 years. Students simulate real scientific research to outline how they plan to evaluate their idea and create mock websites to illustrate concepts.

Since its inception in 1992, the program has helped more than 350,000 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 featured a hearing aid product that recharged by converting body heat into electrical charge, a pair of SportaVision smart goggles that created a virtual playing field and an external microbial cleansing device that quickly and efficiently removed bacteria, fungi, viruses and toxins in the blood.

“We are very proud to sponsor the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision program for the 24th consecutive year. At Toshiba, we are committed to the growth and development of the next generation of innovators, and we believe that the core of STEM lies in both inspiration and creativity,” said Mr. Yoshi Uchiyama, Toshiba America Inc.’s VP, Business Planning, Corp. Communication & CSR.

“The ExploraVision competition highlights the amazing potential of students today,” said Dr. David Evans, NSTA Executive Director. “The caliber of the projects and the ingenuity that comes out of this competition serves as an inspirational reminder of what can come from nurturing students’ natural curiosity in science.”

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 Toshiba technology.

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 all-expense paid trip for their parents/guardians, teacher and mentors to Washington, D.C. for a gala awards weekend in June 2016. 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. 

In addition, students in grades 8-11 who enter a project into the ExploraVision program, as well as participating teachers, will also be eligible to apply for the TOMODACHI Toshiba Science & Technology Leadership Academy, an expense paid, week-long cross-cultural STEM exchange program held in Tokyo where students and teachers from the United States work closely with a team of Japanese counterparts to develop proposed solutions to global issues.

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 24th anniversary of Toshiba’s operations in the United States, the top 24 teachers who submit more than 24 eligible online entries will receive a Toshiba tablet. For more information about prizing, visit https://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 2015/2016 competition, visit www.exploravision.org. Follow ExploraVision on Twitter at @ToshibaInnovate and join the ExploraVision Facebook Fan Page at www.Facebook.com/ToshibaInnovation.

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About Toshiba
Toshiba Corporation, a Fortune Global 500 company, channels world-class capabilities in advanced electronic and electrical product and systems into five strategic business domains: Energy & Infrastructure, Community Solutions, Healthcare Systems & Services, Electronic Devices & Components, and Lifestyles Products & Services. Guided by the principles of The Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, “Committed to People, Committed to the Future”, Toshiba promotes global operations towards securing “Growth Through Creativity and Innovation”, and is contributing to the achievement of a world in which people everywhere live in safe, secure and comfortable society. Founded in Tokyo in 1875, today’s Toshiba is at the heart of a global network of over 590 consolidated companies employing over 200,000 people worldwide, with annual sales surpassing 6.5 trillion yen (US$63 billion).Toshiba America, Inc. is the holding company for five Toshiba operating companies in the United States and employs over 20,000 people in North America.

 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. (Tablets, Laptop Computers, Telephony Products, Flat Panel LCD TVs, and portable products); Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc. (Copiers, Facsimiles, Printers and Digital Signage); 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 Energy Systems, Inc. (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 55,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.