January 22, 2024
New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge 2024 Winners Announced
Albuquerque, NM – In an exciting culmination of innovation and creativity, the New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge took place at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque this weekend. The event, held Saturday, showcased bright young minds in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with over 40 high school teams participating from across the state.
Celebrating its fifth year, the Challenge is an annual competition where high school students showcase their skills and knowledge in STEM to build practical solutions for real-world problems. This year’s challenge question was: Now that we live in a post-pandemic world, how can we improve overall mental, physical, or relational health and wellness in our homes, schools, and communities through the use of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)?
“These projects addressed a wide array of problems and challenges that our teens face both in New Mexico and in the world, said Tony Fox, Interim President and CEO of the LANL Foundation. “The solutions they presented addressed issues ranging from gun violence and addiction, to loneliness and anxiety, to clean air and water.”
Corporate sponsors each selected a team to support and each student on those teams will receive $500. The full list of winning teams and their sponsors is below.
“This event wouldn’t be possible without the support of our partners and sponsors. Their commitment to STEM education is helping to shape the next generation of leaders in New Mexico,” said the Challenge’s Chairperson and General Manager of Tyler Technologies, Ryan Labbe.
“Not only was the quality of the projects exceptional,” said Madi Egnaczak, the Challenge’s Statewide Showcase Coordinator, “but it was more clear this year than ever that the students’ had very personal connections to these issues. Many of their projects directly addressed problems that they face themselves or that affect their friends and family.”
This year’s Challenge saw diverse participation, with a notable increase in teams from underrepresented populations in STEM. This aligns with the Challenge’s goal of fostering inclusivity and diversity in STEM fields.
Supported by partnerships with University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Department of Public Education, New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, LANL Foundation, and local and national business and industry leaders, the Challenge is a platform for young minds to shape a brighter future for New Mexico using the transformative power of STEM education. Host sponsors include Anchorum Health Foundation, Chevron, Meta, and Wildflower International. The complete sponsor list can be found at: www.newmexicostem.org/sponsorship/
List of Winners
| School | Sponsor |
| Albuquerque Charter Academy | Deloitte |
| Alta Vista Early College High School | Virgin Galactic |
| Armand Hammer United World College | Exxon Mobil |
| Axiom Christian Classical | Tyler Technologies |
| Bernalillo High School | Sandia National Laboratories |
| Capital High School | Los Alamos National Laboratory |
| Cloudcroft High School | Anchorum Health Foundation |
| Deming High School | Meta |
| East Mountain High School | Wildflower International |
| Espanola High School | Arcadis |
| Grants High School | Stantec |
| Mandela International Magnet School | Chevron |
| Mayfield High School | Boeing |
| Mescalero Apache High School | PNM |
| Monte del Sol Charter School | URENCO |
| Native American Community Academy | N3B |
| New Mexico Connections Academy | Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico |
| Robertson High School | NM Oil & Gas Association |
| Sandia High School | El Paso Electric |
| Santa Teresa High School | Form Labs Foundation |
| Taos Academy | Freeport-McMoRan |
| The Academy for Technology and the Classics | Pattern Energy |
| The ASK Academy | Deloitte |
| Tohatchi High School | National Radio Astronomy Observatory |
| Tucumcari High School | Intel |
| V. Sue Cleveland High School | WSP Golder |
| Zuni High School | Encantado Foundation |
About the New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge:
The Challenge is a powerful ecosystem that brings together students, educators, volunteers, government officials, and industry experts. It lays the foundation for a brighter future by supporting and empowering the next generation of STEM leaders. Through innovation and collaboration, the Challenge is shaping the future of New Mexico.
For more information about the New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge please visit www.newmexicostem.org or email info@newmexicostem.org.
