We talked to Bill Nye about the competition that inspired these 10-year-olds to dream up a cure for paralysis

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National Science Teachers Association

Twenty years from now, bulletproof vests could be three times stronger. The Hubble Telescope could scour space for dangerous debris. We could have devices that scan our body for tiny ticks, bionic eyes that help blind people see, and medical procedures that help paralyzed people walk again.

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At least, that's what these K-12 students came up with when Exploravision, the world's largest science competition for thar age range, challenged them to envision the technology of the future.

Exploravision is a Toshiba-sponsored project carried out by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). And, as Bill Nye told Business Insider, it's part of the big picture when it comes to igniting scientific innovation in our country.

"What's cool about it is it starts in kindergarten," Nye said. "You have to get people before they're ten years old."

The kids competing in Exploravision don't just pull ideas out of a hat, slap them on a posterboard and call it a day. A teacher coaches the students as they simulate real research and development of their ideas. They pick a current technology, research it, envision what it might look like in 20 years, and describe the development steps, pros & cons, and obstacles, Exploravision explains on its website.

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"You can see it in the kids' eyes," Nye said. "They add this to their school curriculum. They voluntarily do Exploravision on top of everything else they have going on because it's fun at some level. And if you win an award it's really fun."

There are four first place finalist teams nationally. Each team member receives a savings bond worth $10,000. Second-place winners receive a savings bond worth $5,000. And all the participants get to experience, hands-on, the rigorous and exciting scientific process.

And, Nye said, this is important, because science education will play a vital role in our economic future.

"If you don't believe me, look around this room," Nye said, pointing out the lumber in the table and the plastic in the chairs. "Everything in this room came out of somebody's head and that person understood science at some level."

Nye said that these days, coming up with new ideas in science is more important than ever.

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"We don't manufacture things the way we did in my father's or grandfather's time," Nye said.
"Instead we come up with ideas and that requires innovation. So we want as many people as possible to be scientifically literate."

Competitions like Exploravision will get kids excited about science and ready to tackle issues in space, the environment, and medicine.

"As we say in the National Science Teacher's Association, we want science every day in every grade," Nye said.

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