- Over 300 students from 32 high schools from across NM competed in this year’s Challenge.
- Over 80 judges from 25 Industry Partners participated in judging and contributed to the Challenge.
Las Vegas, N.M. — February 7, 2026 — More than 300 high school students representing 32 high schools from across the state of New Mexico gathered on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M., to compete in the New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge. The statewide event showcased student innovation, collaboration, and real-world problem solving while directly connecting students with industry professionals and career pathways in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This year’s award winners include:
NM Governor’s STEM Challenge 2026 Award Winners:
Student Choice Award: East Mountain High School, Sandia Park, NM
Community Impact Award: Ramah High School, Ramah, NM
Innovation & Creativity Award: Axiom Christian Classical School, Albuquerque, NM
Perseverance & Growth Award: The Master’s Program, Santa Fe, NM
Research & Design Award: Tucumcari High School, Tucumcari High School
STEM Excellence Award: Alta Vista Early College High School, Gadsden, NM
Storytelling Award: Española High School, Española, NM
Team Collaboration Award: New Mexico Connections Academy, Online public school serving students from across NM.
Rising Scientist Award: Taos Integrated School for the Arts, Taos, NM
“For 7 years this event has brought students to the forefront of imagining how communities throughout New Mexico can use STEM to tackle challenges of all types. Their creativity and brilliance continues to inspire all of us that are fortunate enough to play a small part in making this event possible.” Celina Bussey, Deloitte, Chair, NMGSC Steering Committee.
New Mexico Highlands University President Dr. Neil Woolf welcomed participants during opening remarks Saturday morning and hosted the student and industry partner reception on Friday. Dr. Woolf emphasized the university’s commitment to supporting STEM learning and partnerships that benefit students statewide. The New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge is organized by the New Mexico STEM Innovation Network and The LANL Foundation and serves as a cornerstone event for advancing STEM education and workforce development across the state.
This year’s event included the support of over 80 judges representing leading regional and national organizations, including Anchorum, Arcadis, Boeing, Century Bank, Chevron, Deloitte, El Paso Electric, Exxon Mobil, Freeport-McMoRan, Intel, Los Alamos National Laboratory/Triad LLC, Meta, N3B, New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, New Mexico Tech, National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), Pattern Energy, Sandia National Laboratories, Stantec, Tyler Technologies, Virgin Galactic, the University of New Mexico, Wildflower International, and WSP. Judges worked directly with student teams, providing feedback, mentorship, and insights into STEM careers. In addition, NM’s industry members contributed over $175,000 in sponsorships to support the NMGSC, leading contributors included Anchorum Health Foundation, Deloitte, Exxon Mobil, University of New Mexico and Wildflower International.
Dr. Wanda Bulger Tamez, Executive Director of the NM STEM Innovation Network, who attended the Challenge for the first time, observed: “We have world-class opportunities right here in New Mexico, and events like this help ensure that the knowledge, talent, and innovation we cultivate stays in our communities—strengthening our workforce and inspiring the next generation to build their futures in their own backyard.”
All participating students received a $100 stipend in recognition of their time, effort, and commitment to the Challenge. In addition, nine schools were selected for the nine STEM award categories, each focusing on STEM practices. Each winning team member received $500 per student recognizing their exemplary work in STEM. The event was also supported by 60 teacher sponsors representing participating schools across New Mexico. Each teacher sponsor received a $500 stipend in recognition of their leadership and dedication to guiding students through the STEM Challenge process. Participating teams also received support for travel and materials to participate in the NM Governor’s STEM Challenge Showcase.
Beyond competition, the New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge continues to bridge the gap between STEM education and career pathways by creating meaningful networking opportunities and pipeline connections. Students engaged directly with industry professionals, gaining exposure to real-world applications of STEM skills and potential career trajectories within New Mexico’s growing STEM economy. The New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge is a powerful annual event that celebrates students’ innovation and creativity, strengthens partnerships between education and industry, and reinforces New Mexico’s commitment to building a strong, inclusive STEM workforce for the future.
For more information about the New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge, please visit https://newmexicostem.org/, contact Erika Acosta, Director of Partnerships, NM STEM Innovation Network (ejacosta@nmsu.edu) or Kersti Tyson, Ph.D., Director of k-12 Education Programs, LANL Foundation (kersti@lanlfoundation.org; (505) 818-7510.
Photos from the event are available upon request.