Pictured from left to right: Nathan Shay, Aryl Villa, Joseph Montenegro, Antonio Mendoza, Mathew Medina, Dakota Montenegro, and two judges from Arcadia. Not Pictured: Ronan EulerTeachers Deandra Medina and Nathan Shay and Special Education Director Rita Montenegro took a team of five students with varying academic abilities to Albuquerque to compete in this year's Governor's STEM challenge. Students created the concept "Homes from Heaven," a tent city that may be constructed to meet the immediate needs of a population such as those recovering from natural disaster, living in areas affected by conflict, or who are otherwise unhoused. Made from sustainable materials the idea is to offer solid, temporary shelter that provides an opportunity for residents to get back on their feet. This concept originated from students' experiences in the Gila Wilderness and the understanding that the tent is their safe space.

According to the website, "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."

11th grader Dakota Montenegro states, "The experience was eye-opening because we were able to view many traditions and ideas from students around the state."

Antonio Mendoza, also an 11th grader, says, "This trip was inspiring because of all the hard work and thought put into everyone's ideas. I'm glad I was able to experience it."

While students did not place in this year's competition, they were warmly invited to return. Rita Montenegro looks forward to incorporating the feedback from this competition and establishing a STEM elective course that allows students more time to work on their project and gain academic credit.