Episode description

In this episode of the TeacherCast Podcast, we learn how the Conrad Challenge is promoting collaborative, student-centered, real world-relevant learning that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship, unleashing students’ potential to create future-defining solutions and a sustainable society for generations to come.

Registration is now open for the 2018-2019 Conrad Challenge. Unlike any STEM competition out there, this annual event unleashes the potential of students to leave their mark on the world, using their innovation and entrepreneurial skills to address some of the most pressing global challenges. In its first 13 years, the Challenge has had student participants from more than 70 different countries.

The Conrad Challenge invites teams of 2-5 students between the ages of 13-18, along with a coach (who may be a teacher, administrator, business leader, or other adult) to innovate new products and services that address global issues in one of six categories:

• Aerospace & Aviation
• Cyber-Technology & Security
• Energy & Environment
• Health & Nutrition
• Smoke-Free World ― special category for 2018-19 sponsored by The Foundation for a Smoke-Free World
• Transforming Education with Technology ― special category for 2018-19 sponsored by SMART Technologies

Coaches and judges from the best in business, industry, research and academia worldwide will guide the teams’ innovative ideas. In February 2019, five teams in each challenge category will be chosen as finalists and travel to the annual Innovation Summit taking place April 24-27, 2019 at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Finalist teams present their innovations before an esteemed panel of judges. Winning teams receive awards, investment opportunities, patent support, business services and scholarships to support the growth of their concepts into real businesses that can make real difference. At the end of the competition, teams maintain ownership of their Intellectual Property.

Interested teams should visit the Registration Form and 2018-2019 Conrad Challenge Overview for more information on this year’s competition. Registration will remain open until Friday, October 19, 2018 at [11:59] PM ET. Expert judges will then select semi-finalist teams in each challenge category who will be invited to develop comprehensive business plans for their innovation.

America’s Navy is proud to partner with the Pete Conrad Foundation to carry on the shared tradition of discovery, creativity and problem solving. For the fourth year, the Navy will sponsor the Conrad Challenge for and present the annual America’s Navy Gemini Award for Distinguished Innovation in the Spirit of Captain Pete Conrad to the team that best demonstrates the Navy’s characteristics of teamwork, innovation and hard work. Navy subject matter experts will also serve as panel judges, offering feedback based on their professional experience and knowledge in medicine, aviation, cyber technology and engineering.

Nancy Conrad

Nancy Conrad is the founding chairman of the Conrad Foundation, who produce the annual Conrad Challenge. A former teacher, Nancy has become a recognized leader in transformative education, serving as a featured speaker at national and international conferences. Her presentations include TED Long...