Join ExploraVision: A STEM Competition That Inspires Teachers

Why I Keep Going Back to ExploraVision—and Why You Should Too

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my professional life as a STEM teacher, it’s that the youth are incredible when you give them air to breathe and room to dream big and dig in with their hands. That’s why I’ve come to love initiatives such as Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision so much. It’s not another science contest—it’s a chance for students to dream, research, problem-solve, and collaborate like real scientists and engineers. And truly, it’s one of the most important extracurricular activities that I do all year.

Every year, I’m reminded why this program matters. My most recent team really blew me away. They started with a simple idea based on a real problem they observed in our community and it became a full-fledged innovation with future medical technology. They read science magazines, labored after school to draw and debate ideas, built models, rewrote their thinking processes, and practiced presenting complex concepts clearly and confidently. Watching them lead the project and push through challenges made me so proud. They weren’t studying science—they were doing it.

Of course, I will be honest: ExploraVision is a commitment. There are deadlines, late nights, forms, and a lot of times when things are messy. But those messy times are where the real learning happens. Students learn it’s okay to fail, to regroup, and to figure things out step by step. That kind of growth? And that’s not something you learn from a book.

My favorite aspect of ExploraVision is how it fosters teamwork. Regardless of whether students are doing research, creating designs, writing, or constructing something, they must work together. And as the years go by, you notice them start to trust one another more, play to their strengths, and form a genuine sense of team. That is what I consider transformative.

If you are a teacher considering ExploraVision for the first time—or once again after a break—do it. You don’t need a high-tech lab or a space full of upstart engineers; You need only an interested class of students and a desire to find ideas together. Inquire first by helping them discover a real-world issue of interest. Next, guide them through research and brainstorming. The ExploraVision website is also great to have tools and rubrics to make it go more smoothly.

The point is to let them explore their energy, imagination, and creativity then let them put it into the effort.

ExploraVision reminded me why I became a teacher in the beginning: To help students achieve their dreams. It’s about having students believe in themselves—and learning that their ideas can actually change things. When you see them take initiative and be excited when they see what they’ve done, you’ll understand why I keep coming back. And I hope you will too.

By Mrs. Farha Ahmed, Harmony School of Innovation, Sugar Land, TX

To learn more about the 2025-26 ExploraVision program, visit https://www.exploravision.org.

Discover how the Toshiba ExploraVision STEM Competition empowers teachers to inspire innovation and creativity in their classrooms. This national science competition program encourages students to explore future-focused ideas through hands-on projects that blend imagination with real-world problem-solving. By integrating ExploraVision into lesson plans, educators can spark curiosity, enhance collaboration, and build critical thinking skills in K-12 students. Teachers play a vital role in guiding teams as they develop innovative STEM concepts that could shape tomorrow’s world. Learn how to get involved and bring the Toshiba ExploraVision STEM Competition experience to your classroom today.