Space Center Houston sets sights on student innovators for 2024-2025 Conrad Challenge
Registration has opened for the Conrad Challenge, a global STEM innovation and entrepreneurship competition.
Embarking on its 19th year, the Conrad Challenge, presented by Space Center Houston, convenes youth teams aged 13-18, where they present innovative solutions across four categories: Aerospace & Aviation, Cyber-Technology & Security, Energy & Environment, and Health & Nutrition.
A special category for 2024-2025 is Currents of Change: The Water Challenge, asking students to help communities worldwide with water equity, purity, and efficiency.
"As a premier destination for science exploration and learning, we are excited to present the Conrad Challenge and host this dynamic competition," says Daniel Newmyer, Vice President of Education Research and Collections at Space Center Houston. "We look forward to engaging with students from around the world who will push the limits of innovation, using STEM principles and skills to shape the future."
Teams competing in the year-long challenge are teamed with subject matter experts and resources supporting the creation of a commercially viable innovation as they advance through four rounds of the competition.
This begins with the Activation & Lean Canvas Stages, where students move beyond geographical boundaries to collaborate, devise solutions, and tackle global challenges. Students progress to the Innovation Stage where they learn entrepreneurial skills, create marketing materials, and present their innovations to a panel of judges.
Successful participants earn the title of Conrad Challenge Finalists and are invited to advance to the Power Pitch Stage held during the Conrad Challenge Innovation Summit & Expo at Space Center Houston.
Finalist teams compete to earn scholarships, entrepreneurial support, and the challenge's top honour, the title of Pete Conrad Scholar. At the Summit, teams, judges, alumni, and other members of the Conrad community assemble for a four-day event featuring workshops, tours, community sessions, and the expo, all leading up to an awards dinner.
Created by Nancy Conrad, the wife of Pete Conrad (Apollo 12 astronaut and third man to walk on the moon), the challenge aims to carry on his legacy after his untimely death in 1999.
"We are thrilled to welcome a new cohort of bright minds as they embark on this journey of discovery," says William T. Harris, President and CEO at Space Center Houston. "The Conrad Challenge empowers young visionaries to transform bold ideas into reality, fuelling a new generation of leaders ready to extend the limits of what's possible."
Registration is open until Friday, 11th November, at 11:59 P.M. EDT, by which time all registered teams must submit the necessary requirements for the activation stage. To register and for more information, click here.
