More than 400 students participated in the fourth annual New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge, a competition testing high school students’ ability to use science, technology, engineering and math to solve real-world problems. New Mexico State University hosted the hybrid format 2022 showcase, with the virtual event held Dec. 2 and the in-person event held Dec. 3 at NMSU’s Corbett Center.
Led by New Mexico’s Office of the Governor, the challenge was a collaboration between NMSU, the New Mexico Public Education Department, the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, the Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation and 28 industry partners in the state.
“The New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge and Showcase continues to highlight the ingenuity and creativity students bring as they approach the question. Seeing the skills students learn, such as collaboration, teamwork, perseverance, showcases the power of engaging in experiential learning opportunities,” said Shafiq Chaudhary, director of Math and Science at the Public Education Department.
Teams from public, private and charter high schools across the state participated, along with judges from 28 industry partners, plus educators, volunteers and government officials.
“The New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge is a program unique to the state and one that fosters inquiry and innovation by supporting teachers and students in relevant and relatable ways through responses to an open-ended question, making the Challenge truly real world,” said Patricia Sullivan, associate dean in NMSU’s College of Engineering. “Participation by the New Mexico business community is a signature aspect of the Governor’s STEM Challenge, bringing the state’s employers together with educators and students to elevate STEM-based career opportunities in New Mexico.”
Each team was composed of up to 10 students who designed and developed a project model to address the question posed by NMSU, “Imagine New Mexico as a state known for sustainable and green manufacturing. What innovations or developments could be produced to foster our schools, jobs and communities?”
“It was amazing to see students from all over New Mexico engaged in STEM, showcasing the skills our next generation of workforce leaders are bringing to the table,” said Rebecca Sisneros, New Mexico Department of Workforce Solution’s Youth Engagement coordinator.
Industry partners provided judges and cash awards capped at $5,000 per winning team of up to 10 members. Each student on a winning team took home $500.
“All of us at the LANL Foundation are delighted to again have been involved with the New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge. We know that by working together with students and businesses, we can ignite opportunities previously unimagined. And yet again this year, the projects of the students were amazing and we look forward to continuing this event for years to come,” said Jenny Parks, LANL Foundation CEO.
The following industry partners sponsored the 23 winning schools:
Anchorum-Axiom Christian Classical
Boeing-Taos Academy State Charter
Chevron-Academy for Technology and the Classics
Deloitte-Twin Buttes Cyber Academy and Pecos Cyber Academy
El Paso Electric-Tucumcari High School
ExxonMobil-Robertson High School
Freeport McMoran-New Mexico Military Institute
Intel-SAMS Academy
Los Alamos National Laboratory-Bernalillo High School
Lovelace-Capital High School
Molina Health Care-V. Sue Cleveland
Meta-Santa Teresa High School
N3B-Mandela International Magnet School
National Radio Astronomy Observatory-Crownpoint High School
Pattern Energy-Centennial High School
PNM-Sandia High School
Presbyterian-Southwest Secondary Learning Center
Sandia National Laboratories-Grants High School
Stantec-Navajo Preparatory School
URENCO-Monte Del Sol
Virgin Galactic-Roy High School
WSP Golder-School of Dreams Academy
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CUTLINE: New Mexico State University hosted the 2022 New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge Showcase, Dec. 2-3. Grants High School was one of the winning teams and was sponsored by Sandia National Laboratories. (Courtesy photo)