Real-World Challenges: Innovative Solutions with ExploraVision
Real-World Challenges: Innovative Solutions with ExploraVision
By Maureen Foelkl, Heritage School, Salem, OR
Teaching is about empowering students with curiosity, knowledge, and the confidence to explore while thinking critically. STEM and project-based learning serve as a powerful wheelhouse to teach multiple subject areas, allowing students to integrate science, technology, engineering, and math concepts while fostering creativity and critical thinking across diverse disciplines.
Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision allows students to solve problems that impact the world by encouraging innovative thinking on topics that interest them. For example, on one team, more than half of the members have friends or family members struggling with dementia. This idea made their project feel even more meaningful because they wanted to find solutions that could help people in real life. Researching possible solutions turned the team into real-life detectives as they explored future technology.
Guidelines and exemplary project samples are featured on the ExploraVision’s website. Click on the Teacher and Parent tab to locate all the resources needed to complete a successful team submission. Each section includes details such as lesson plans, classroom schedules, and much more. Take advantage of this useful resource. If you still have questions, don’t be afraid to ask. The staff is available to respond to emails quickly. They provide direct answers so that your team avoids confusion and can stay focused on the competition requirements.
As a passionate STEM educator, I understand the frustrations of covering multiple standards in short periods, often resulting in limited proficiency. By guiding students through this journey, you’re not only helping them meet academic standards but also inspiring learners to shape the future. Advocating for STEM/project-based learning prepare students to learn researching skills, planning and designing, math integration, an engineering challenge and a technical component, with time to present and reflect on their project. Teachers provide support through micro-lessons, building a set of skills to reinforce a given grade level standard. Ultimately, this method equips students with real-world skills while allowing instructors to address multiple standards effectively in a meaningful and engaging way. In addition, it strengthens student confidence in presenting ideas—an essential skill for their future success.
I completely understand that adding another project to your plate can feel overwhelming. Between lesson planning, grading, and meeting standards, it’s hard to imagine that there’s time for something extra. The secret is that ExploraVision isn’t extra; it’s a way to make learning more engaging and meaningful while covering multiple subjects at once. Break it down into small, manageable steps, lean on teamwork, and remember that you need not be an expert in all subject areas. Your role is to guide and inspire. Find an expert to assist each team. ExploraVision encourages students to connect with professionals in STEM fields, gaining real-world insights, mentorship, and a deeper understanding of how their ideas could become future innovations.
This competition isn’t just another project; it’s a transformative learning experience that aligns with STEM standards, enhances critical thinking, and fosters real-world problem-solving. ExploraVision provides a journey of mutual learning for both educators and students by promoting innovation as students explore futuristic concepts while educators adopt new ways of thinking and teaching.
To learn more about the 2025-26 ExploraVision program, visit https://www.exploravision.org.