HOUSTON, TEXAS (APRIL 28, 2025) – Since the start of the 2024-25 school year, nearly 2,000 high school teams and 5,000 students from more than 80 countries collaborated across oceans and time zones to develop viable solutions to global challenges in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Competing for first place titles as “Pete Conrad Scholars,” the top 31 student teams convened at Space Center Houston for the Conrad Challenge Innovation Summit and EXPO finals sponsored by Equinor.
Founded in 2007 by Nancy Conrad in honor of her late husband, NASA astronaut Charles “Pete” Conrad, the Challenge inspires students to design today’s solutions for tomorrow’s challenges, carrying forward his legacy for innovation and exploration.
Nancy Conrad, founder and chair of the Conrad Foundation, delivers a welcoming speech at Rocket Park. (Photo Courtesy, Space Center Houston).
The Challenge is one of the world’s most highly regarded global STEM innovation and entrepreneurship competitions where high school students (aged 13-18) present their STEM inventions to a panel of expert judges.
During Friday’s ceremonial dinner, four student teams were awarded the top honor, alongside four Power Pitch winners recognized in the categories of Aerospace & Aviation, Cyber-Technology & Security, Energy & Environment, Health & Nutrition, and Currents of Change (Water). 2 SPACECENTER.ORG Each winning team member is awarded scholarships, grants, patent support, laptops, and additional resources to further their journey.
“This year’s Conrad Challenge winners are truly exceptional innovators,” said William T. Harris, President and CEO of Space Center Houston. “Their passion and remarkable talent in creating inventions with the potential to benefit humanity both on Earth and in space are deserving of the highest award. We are extremely honored to welcome such talented young innovators to the Official Visitors Center of NASA Johnson Space Center for the 2025 Conrad Challenge.”
2024-2025 Conrad Challenge Top Awards
Aerospace & Aviation
- Pete Conrad Scholar: Sensair
- Power Pitch Winner: Weathering Heights
Cyber-Technology & Security
- Pete Conrad Scholar: WiFind
- Power Pitch Winner: SoberRide
Energy & Environment
- Pete Conrad Scholar: SPIRo
- Power Pitch Winner: FireAids
Health & Nutrition
- Pete Conrad Scholar: Neuropod
- Power Pitch Winner: Kinection
Currents of Change: The Water Challenge
- Pete Conrad Scholar: ToiletWarrior
- Power Pitch Winner: Aquaneers: Shells for Water
“My husband, Pete Conrad, was a steadfast supporter of innovators and entrepreneurs,” said Nancy Conrad, founder and chair of the Conrad Foundation. “I know he would be incredibly proud of every participant for their remarkable achievements at such a young age. They are not only helping to build a better future but also shaping the workforce of tomorrow.”
Throughout the summit, students, educators, Alumni Leadership Council (ALC) members, judges, and corporate sponsors forge lasting connections that strengthen the Challenge’s global community.
2025 Special Awards
- 2025 Teacher of the Year: Karin Sempf of Inno-Vanation Panama
- 2025 Searching for Better: Team Gevish
- Recognizing Alumni Leadership Council Members: Isabella Brakhage & Ella Bianco
- 2025 Donald James Citizenship Award: The Octopus from Georgia, USA
- 2025 Glinsky Expo Exhibit Award for Best Tabletop: Aquaneers: Shells for Water from Vietnam
- 2025 Glinsky Expo Exhibit Award for Most Persuasive: Positive Impact Maker from The Republic of Korea
- 2025 Space Center Houston Award for Best Entrepreneurial Innovator: Moon from The United Kingdom
To learn more about last year’s winners, visit 2024-25 Innovation Summit Finalists – Conrad Challenge.
Students interested in applying to compete in the 2025-26 Conrad Challenge, visit Conrad Challenge.
To see related posts, visit Space Center Houston Announces Equinor as Title Sponsor of the Conrad Challenge – Space Center Houston.
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About Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston’s shared purpose is to bring people and space closer together. Over 1.3 million visitors and more than 250,000 students and educators visit each year to connect with the significance of space exploration to pursue a path in STEM or follow along as incredible feats of human spaceflight continue to make new discoveries. Space Center Houston is owned by the Manned Space Flight Education 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and generates an annual $118M economic impact to the Greater Houston area. Space Center Houston is a Smithsonian Affiliate, the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center and a Certified Autism Center. Learn more at spacecenter.org.
About Equinor
Equinor is an international energy company committed to long-term value creation in a low-carbon future. We energize the lives of over 170 million people and companies around the world, every day. Our purpose: Energy for people. Progress for society. Searching for better. We aim to become a net-zero energy company by 2050. To do it, we’ll find new solutions in renewables, low-carbon and oil and gas. Headquartered in Stavanger, Norway, Equinor is the leading operator on the Norwegian continental shelf and present in around 30 countries worldwide. Learn more at www.equinor.com.
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