LAS VEGAS, New Mexico — More than 300 high school students from across New Mexico will gather on February 7 for the seventh annual New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge. The event is a statewide competition of young innovators to develop science- and technology-driven solutions to the growing threat of climate-related disasters.
The annual event brings together students from 33 schools to address real-world problems affecting their own localities. It will be held at the Sub Ballroom of New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU).
The competition, organized by the STEM Innovation Network in partnership with the LANL Foundation, challenges students to apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to issues facing the state.
“This is a great opportunity for New Mexico Highlands to highlight its commitment to STEM education, training, and research,” said NMHU Provost Dr. Dann Brown.
Climate and disaster response at the core
This year’s challenge focuses on climate resilience and disaster preparedness.
Student teams are going to respond to the question: “As natural disasters continue to affect New Mexico — such as wildfires, floods, drought, heat waves, and dust or windstorms — how can innovations in STEM help your community predict disasters, mitigate harm, respond effectively, and recover in the long term?”
Projects may range from disaster prediction tools and mitigation strategies to emergency response systems and recovery-focused technologies.
Beyond competition
Governor’s STEM Challenge goes beyond winning prizes, event organizers said. The program places strong emphasis on equity and access, particularly for students from underrepresented communities. It will also help students build pathways into high-demand STEM careers.
Fifty-seven teacher mentors and 23 industry partners support this year’s participants. Eighty judges from industry will evaluate the projects.
Industry-backed innovation
Event industry partners include major corporations, research institutions, and universities, such as Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Intel, Boeing, Meta, Virgin Galactic, and the University of New Mexico, among others.
The Governor’s STEM Challenge continues to serve as a major platform for experiential learning, workforce development, and community-centered problem solving.