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Imagine the technology of the future.
ExploraVision invites students to imagine how today's scientific and technological ideas could develop into technologies of the future. Teams select a technology, investigate how it works today, identify its limitations, and envision how it could be transformed to solve future problems.
Students combine scientific research with imagination as they develop a detailed vision of a future technology and explain the scientific principles behind it.
What students gain: Scientific research, technology literacy, innovation, future thinking, writing, collaboration, and scientific communication.
Great for students who: Are fascinated by emerging technology, science fiction, inventions, medicine, engineering, or imagining what the world might look like decades from now.
OFFICIAL COST AND AWARDS
No entry fee for the current official competition. First-prize students receive a $10,000 savings bond at maturity; second-prize students receive $5,000. National finalists receive a trip to Washington, D.C., for each student plus one parent/legal guardian; regional winners receive Chromebooks.
SMART SPENDING RULES
Invest time in credible research, citations, and communication before materials. Confirm costs before purchase, use copyright-safe visuals, and record optional expenses and receipts.
The Hopkins Financial Officer is Mrs. Deepika Srinivas, PFA Member.
STEAM Donations
STEAM Donations
To support the STEAM program, you may donate by scanning the QR code provided or by submitting a check payable to Hopkins_PFA (STEAM) to the Hopkins Middle School office.
For all donations, please clearly indicate the STEAM program, science competition, or challenge your contribution is intended to support.
For checks: Please write the name of your student’s STEAM program, competition, or challenge in the memo line.
Research a current technology and imagine how it may develop in the future. Project requirements, research guidance, writing templates, deadlines, and meeting links will be posted here. (Under Construction )
2026–2027 / 2027 EXPLORAVISION • GRADES 6–8
Information checked August 17, 2026
CURRENT STATUS
The ExploraVision homepage now displays a 2027 key-dates banner, but its public Rules & Requirements text still identifies the 2025–2026 cycle and the expired February 3, 2026 deadline. Therefore, the exact 2027 submission deadline is not yet confirmed in the current text rules. Hopkins will post the verified deadline as soon as ExploraVision publishes the complete 2027 rules. Do not use the 2026 deadline.
THE CHALLENGE
Teams select an existing technology, study its scientific principles and history, identify a limitation, and envision how it could develop 10 or more years into the future. The proposal must describe the breakthroughs required, an evidence-based design process, and positive and negative consequences for society.
TEAM AND DIVISION RULES
The currently published rules require teams of 2–4 students, one teacher/coach, and an optional mentor; individual entries are not accepted. A coach must be at least 21. The oldest student determines the grade category. Hopkins sixth graders fall in the grades 4–6 category, while seventh and eighth graders fall in the grades 7–9 category; team formation must account for this.
STANDARD PROJECT COMPONENTS
• Project title — current published limit: 50 characters.
• Abstract — no more than 150 words.
• Description — no more than 11 pages, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins and 12–18 point standard font.
• Bibliography — all research and generated-information sources.
• Five sample web pages that communicate and promote the future technology.
The description should be organized as: Present Technology; History; Future Technology; Breakthroughs; Design Process; and Consequences.
RESEARCH AND DESIGN EXPECTATIONS
Students should use authoritative books, journals, government or university sources, interviews, and credible technical websites. Explain scientific mechanisms in student language. Identify three alternative design ideas or features, explain why they were rejected, and show why the chosen design is better. One sample webpage should display a model or visual representation and explain its limitations. An actual prototype or live website is not required unless a team becomes a Regional Winner.
AI AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The published rules permit AI tools for brainstorming and research, but AI must not be the only source. Generated information must be verified and properly cited, including in-text attribution, bibliography information, original-source links, and a link to the full AI conversation where required. Unattributed AI-generated content is treated as academic dishonesty. Students remain responsible for accuracy and original reasoning.
PARENT, COACH, AND MENTOR GUIDELINES
Adults may teach research methods, help students understand the format, provide safety supervision, ask questions, and give age-appropriate feedback. Students should choose the technology, conduct the research, write the entry, make the illustrations, and defend the scientific reasoning.
WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL TEAM
Successful teams start with a sharply defined limitation, connect the future invention to real science, explain breakthroughs realistically, compare alternative designs, consider unintended consequences, cite every source, revise for clarity, and use the rubric as a final quality check.
OFFICIAL RESOURCES
ExploraVision homepage and 2027 updates: https://www.exploravision.org/
Project format: https://www.exploravision.org/project-format/
Rules and requirements: https://www.exploravision.org/rules-requirements/
Judging rubric and checklist: https://www.exploravision.org/
HOPKINS INFORMATION
Questions: Under Construction
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