Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

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Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

Toshiba, NSTA Kick Off 34th Annual ExploraVision Competition

Registrations are open for the World’s Largest K-12 Science Competition

Returning for its 34th year of inspiring innovation in the next generation of scientists, the annual ExploraVision science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) competition is now open for registration. The program, sponsored by Toshiba and administered by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), challenges students to use problem solving, critical thinking and teamwork to imagine solutions to real-life issues. Participants will have a chance to win prizes, including $10,000 U.S. Series EE Savings Bonds (at maturity). Registration is open until February 3, 2026, at ExploraVision.org.

During the competition, teams of two to four students are challenged to identify a real-world problem, research scientific principles and current technologies, and design innovative solutions that could exist in the next 10+ years. Regional winners then create websites and prototypes to bring these concepts to life. The competition culminates in Washington, D.C. where winners present their ideas to executives from Toshiba, NSTA and other VIPs. Last year's winning ideas ranged from technology to fight wildfires and prevent heart attacks to concepts to improve road surfaces to prevent accidents.

“Toshiba is thrilled to be part of the ExploraVision program for the 34th consecutive year,” said Tom Kumagai, Chairman & CEO, Toshiba America, Inc. “Each year, I’m excited to see what ideas the students create and find myself feeling inspired and proud of the work we’re doing to prepare the next generation of STEM leaders. ExploraVision brings our corporate promise of ‘Committed to People, Committed to the Future’ to life in a powerful way. I look forward to seeing what innovations come out of this year’s competition and our continued partnership with NSTA.”

Since the program launched in 1992, ExploraVision has helped nearly 450,000 students across the United States and Canada cultivate a life-long passion for STEM. The competition provides a turnkey solution for coaches to excite, educate and engage students, virtually and in person, about science and engineering practices found in the Next Generation Science Standards – such as asking questions and defining problems, planning and carrying out investigations, and analyzing and interpreting data.

“Each year, I’m blown away by the creativity, curiosity, and determination our ExploraVision students bring to the table,” said Beverly DeVore-Wedding, Ph.D., president of NSTA. “These students aren’t just imagining the future—they’re designing it. Thanks to Toshiba’s continued support, we’re able to empower future leaders and problem solvers to apply what they’re learning in meaningful, real-world ways. I’m excited to see how this year’s teams turn bold ideas into powerful solutions.”

Competition Phases and Prizes for Students

Student teams 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 finalist phases to the competition, regional and national. In the regional phase, the 24 winning teams from six regions across the United States and Canada will receive a plaque for their school, and each member of the team will receive a Chromebook and additional prizes.

In 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 expense-paid trip for themselves, their parents/guardians (grades K-6) and coach or mentor to Washington, D.C. for an awards weekend in June 2026. Activities will include a visit to Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and a Science Showcase where the students display and demonstrate their winning ideas, while also being formally recognized for their creativity and accomplishments.

To register a team for the 2025-26 competition, visit www.exploravision.org.

Follow ExploraVision on X (formerly Twitter) at x.com/ToshibaAmerica and Facebook www.Facebook.com/ToshibaAmerica for updates on the program.

About Toshiba

In 2025, the Toshiba Group celebrates its 150th anniversary. As the company looks ahead, it is enhancing its management structure, streamlining operations, and investing in forward-looking businesses to build foundations for new growth. This will allow it to continue to support advances toward a sustainable future with products and services developed by its wide range of businesses in the energy, infrastructure, and electronic devices domains. Guided by its corporate philosophy, “Committed to People, Committed to the Future.,” Toshiba brings industry-leading capabilities in green transformation (GX) and digital transformation (DX) to solutions for companies addressing the many challenges faced by modern society. By leveraging the power of data derived from its constantly evolving products and solutions, the Group is determined to help to achieve carbon neutrality and a circular economy. In fiscal year 2024, Toshiba Group recorded annual sales of 3.5 trillion yen and employed 95,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn.

About Toshiba America, Inc.

Founded in 1965, Toshiba America, Inc. (TAI) is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Toshiba Corporation and the holding company of three Toshiba operating companies that offer a broad range of products and solutions for the commercial, energy and industrial sectors. The three companies, which along with TAI are known collectively as Toshiba America Group, are Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (Semiconductor & data storage solutions), Toshiba America Energy Systems, Corp. (Power generation solutions), Toshiba International Corporation (Industrial, power electronics & transmission & distribution solutions), and a Toshiba America Company, Toshiba America Business Solutions (Multifunction printers, label and receipt printers, digital signage, managed print services, and cloud solutions).

About NSTA

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant community of 35,000 science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and its impact on student learning. NSTA offers high-quality science resources and continuous learning so that science educators grow professionally and excel in their career. For new and experienced teachers alike, the NSTA community offers the opportunity to network with like-minded peers at the national level, connect with mentors and leading researchers, and learn from the best in the field. For more information, visit www.nsta.org, or follow NSTA on X, formerly known as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision brings our corporate promise of ‘Committed to People, Committed to the Future’ to life in a powerful way. - Tom Kumagai, Chairman & CEO, Toshiba America, Inc

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