Conrad Challenge Names 2026 Student Innovators
Conrad Challenge named 10 student teams at Space Center Houston after a season featuring more than 1,500 projects from 70 countries.
Space Center Houston named five Pete Conrad Scholar teams and five Power Pitch Award winners at its Conrad Challenge Innovation Summit on April 25. The 2025-26 competition drew students from more than 70 countries, who worked across oceans on more than 1,500 projects. Presented with Equinor, the program recognized high school students ages 13 to 18 for inventions across aerospace, cybersecurity, energy, health and water. Winners receive scholarships, a trip to Boston and further resources to support their work.
Global Student Competition
Founded in 2007 by Nancy Conrad in honor of her late husband, NASA astronaut Charles “Pete” Conrad Jr., the Conrad Challenge is a STEM innovation and entrepreneurship competition. Students present original innovations to a panel of expert judges after progressing through three stages.
“We are excited about this year’s impressive pioneers. Seeing these passionate students collaborate on such amazing inventions underscores what’s possible through STEM principles.”
Scholar And Pitch Winners
The Pete Conrad Scholars were Aphelion of Santa Monica, California, in Aerospace & Aviation; VOCL of Naperville, Illinois, in Cyber-Technology & Security; The Bee Initiative of San Jose, California, and Groton, Massachusetts, in Energy & Environment; The Cartographers of Redmond, Washington, in Health & Nutrition; and Soaring Seeds of China in Currents of Change: The Water Challenge.
Power Pitch Award winners were Flux Orbital Solutions of India, DiveGuard of China, OctoScope of China, Vigil of Suwanee, Georgia, and BlueFlow of Irvine, California. A full list of recipients is available through the 2026 Innovation Summit Award Winning Teams.
Awards And Next Steps
Each winning team member receives scholarships and an all-expenses-paid trip to Boston, with airfare provided by United Airlines. Equinor will also provide additional resources. Select inventions will receive patent support, while others may be used in space.
Chris Golden, U.S. country manager and senior vice president at Equinor, presented the Equinor Searching for Better Award to OctoScope. The award recognizes a team whose idea reflects innovation, community and service, along with efforts to pursue better outcomes for people and the planet.
“My husband, Pete Conrad, would be incredibly proud of what these students have accomplished so early in their lives. Their work is already making a meaningful impact and paving the way for the next generation of innovators.”
Applications For Next Season
Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the Conrad Challenge. Students interested in the 2026-27 program can apply through the Conrad Challenge website.
From an announcement by Space Center Houston.
