About Us

The Conrad Foundation is dedicated to fundamentally shifting how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are taught in K-12 schools and across socioeconomic levels. It is the only not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization of its kind to combine education, innovation and entrepreneurship to spark student interest in STEM careers and sustain a knowledge-based economy.

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Students who participate in our programs reap the benefits of multidisciplinary, immersive learning experiences that give them the tools they need to succeed in life. From a global standpoint, our programs impact the way society addresses real-world problems. Currently, the Conrad Foundation’s flagship program is the Spirit of Innovation Challenge, an annual competition that challenges high school students to develop commercially-viable, technology-based products that address real-world issues.

The Conrad Foundation is based on the rich legacy of the late Apollo 12 astronaut and entrepreneur, Charles “Pete” Conrad. His wife, education activist Nancy Conrad, founded the organization in 2008.