New Mexico Governor's STEM Challenge
Recognizing achievement and developing potential in New Mexico's diverse student population by exploring how STEM careers can address local, state, and global challenges.
Our Story
The New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge is a unique partnership between the public and private sectors that fosters the next generation of STEM leaders and innovators from our state. Started in 2019 by then-Secretary Bill McCamley of the Department of Workforce Solutions, the Challenge was created to be both a competition and a collaboration between students, schools, government, and business and industry. These participants have been brought together by the LANL Foundation, which has overseen the Challenge since its inception.
When students participate in the Challenge, they are not only vying for monetary prizes, but they are given the valuable opportunity to meet with potential employers in their field. The teachers who lead the teams are supported by the New Mexico Public Education Department with stipends and paired with expert mentors. Meanwhile, corporate sponsors of the Challenge are exposed to the talented future workforce of our state and use the opportunity to advise and recruit STEM students. Past sponsors who are returning to the 2023-2024 Challenge include Anchorum St. Vincent, Deloitte, Exxon Mobil, the Form Foundation, Honeywell, Intel, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lovelace Health System, Meta, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Pattern Energy, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Sandia National Laboratories, and Virgin Galactic.
Whether you are student, an educator, an employer, or just interested in STEM, come join us at the 2024 New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge!
2024 Challenge Question
New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions and New Mexico Public Education Department invite New Mexico high school students and teachers to participate in the 2024 Governor’s STEM Showcase. Students in New Mexico high school STEM classes statewide are invited to imagine, design, and develop a project model to address the following question:
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)?
"Applying science, engineering, and technology to make the world safer is something we do every day, so this is a challenge that really resonates with us"
- Los Alamos National Laboratory Director, Thom Mason
Past Participants & Winners
2024 Program Dates:
- 2024 Registration Now Open
- November 4-5, 2023 - Professional Development for Teachers in Albuquerque
- December 18, 2023 - Travel Funds Disbursed (tentative date)
- January 8, 2024 - Written Proposals Due
- January 15, 2024 - Written Proposal Scores Due (Judges only)
- January 20, 2024 - Showcase at UNM in Albuquerque
