the 2022-23 season was a FANTASTIC year for the Conrad Challenge as we celebrated the top Finalist teams in each challenge category with our Innovation Summit! We were blown away to see these teams in action presenting their innovations, building a community with like-minded students and networking with industry experts from around the world.
Teams were scored and provided on-the-spot feedback from the judging panel. The winning teams received scholarships, patent assistance and other services to fine-tune their innovations, create companies and license their IP to top-tier corporations. Through these unique events, students gained direct exposure to industry experts, corporations, investors and universities.
Thank you to all of our Finalist teams, coaches, judges, sponsors, partners, guests and everyone in between! This year’s Innovation Summit was incredible, and it’s all because of YOU!
MEET THE CONRAD FINALISTS
Every year, we are blown away by our student teams… and this year was no exception! The Innovation Summit featured 25 student teams from around the world who competed to be named Pete Conrad Scholars, the Conrad Challenge’s top honor.
2023 Innovation Summit Pete Conrad Scholars and Power Pitch Winners Are…
drum roll please… The Conrad Challenge is proud to introduce the student teams who were recognized at the innovation summit.
AEROSPACE & AVIATION
PETE CONRAD SCHOLAR:
Bloomx2fm from California, USA
While on deep space missions, astronauts must be able to grow fresh food to maintain a healthy diet, but there is limited space and time available to do so. BloomX2FM is a device that can emit both radio and sound waves in a controlled way to stimulate plant growth while in space and address this current challenge.
POWER PITCH:
BUz FROM Republic of Korea
To address the large amount of space debris currently present, SAM (Satellite Annihilation Module) is a module that removes malfunctioning satellites from orbit. This fast, light, and compact module will be installed on a satellite before its launch and can be activated when the satellite malfunctions.
CYBER-TECHNOLOGY & SECURITY
PETE CONRAD SCHOLAR:
SIREN FROM California, USA
In response to the surge of school shootings, SIREN accurately detects gunshots and immediately calls law enforcement with a network of sensors placed throughout a school. It also alerts students, faculty, administrators, and parents and provides real-time mapping of the suspect’s location through SMS text communication.
POWER PITCH:
NeuroSole FROM California, USA
Currently an accurate and affordable diagnosis system for Parkinson’s Disease does not exist and near 30% of the time the disease is misdiagnosed. NeuroSole is a portable, cheap, non-invasive, and easy-to-use early diagnostic system. This product consists of an insole and an app that utilizes artificial intelligence to detect Parkinsonian gait in patients.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
PETE CONRAD SCHOLAR:
ASK from Texas & California,USA
Designed to provide an easier transition to renewable solar energy, ASK is a revolutionary solution that integrates advanced photovoltaics, energy storage, and thermal absorbers into a single unit. The design eliminates the need for external batteries, reduces energy loss and increases efficiency by up to 20%.
POWER PITCH:
Erilux FROM Panamá
Current streetlights are costly, and many are obsolete with today’s technology. Erilux seeks to innovate the energy industry with self-sustaining streetlights powered only by wind energy. These lights are grid-independent and require simple maintenance with a storage system that collects energy continuously to illuminate streets for the twelve hours needed.
HEALTH & NUTRITION
PETE CONRAD SCHOLAR:
UltraGrasp FROM Virginia, USA
UltraGrasp is a prosthetic forearm that is not only cost-effective and non-invasive, but also comfortable autonomous, and environmentally friendly. This is completely autonomous, eliminating electromyography and providing simple attachment-removal methods for patients.
POWER PITCH:
Multi-functional Smart Cane from Shanghai, China
Multi-functional Smart Cane is designed to make walking indoors and outdoors more convenient and safe for the visually impaired by scanning the user’s environment and notifying them about what is happening around them.
special awards
Each year, the Conrad Challenge highlights the Finalist Teams with additional awards and incentives. This year is no different! Below are the special awards presented this year.
Chairman’s Award:
Mollye Edinburgh, Griffin Communications Group, Houston, Texas
Innovative Teacher Award & Tranquility Base Travel Grant Award:
Kat Cooper, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, Durham, North carolina
BioWear, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics & Green Level High School, North Carolina, USA
Conrad TAG IT! Award:
Orbnet, Oxford High School, United Kingdom
Glinsky Award - Best Tabletop at EXPO:
BioWear, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics & Green Level High School, North Carolina, USA
Glinsky Award - Most Persuasive Team at EXPO:
Xena Airspace, Baldwin School of Puerto Rico and Lake Belton High School, Puerto Rico and Texas, USA
Alumni Leadership Council (ALC) Awards:
Mitchell Phelan, Director of the ALC Collaborators, Melbourne, Australia
Vyomika Gandhi, Co-Leader of the ALC, Washington, D.C.
Mia Yang, Co-Leader of the ALC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Akhil Jariwala, ALC COLLABORATOR, Tempe, Arizona
Umang Jain, Director of the Advance & Inspire Team, College Park, Maryland
ALC Summit Engagement Awards:
Bee-Bot, Van Nuys High School, California, USA
UV Shield, South Iredell High School, North Carolina, USA
Orbnet, Oxford High School, United Kingdom
2023 Award Prizes
THANK YOU TO OUR
INNOVATION SUMMIT & PRIZE SPONSORS
