Pete Conrad - Pete Conrad Spirit Award

Pete Conrad Spirit Award

On September 8, 2008, The Conrad Foundation announced the launch of their 2008 Pete Conrad Spirit of Innovation Awards. Teams of high school students across the nation are invited to compete in this innovative program. The competition engages high school students in creating commercial products using science and technology.

Students design products in personal space flight, lunar exploration and renewable energy. NASA’s call for a human return to the Moon and the increased interest in space transportation are the foundation of this year’s Conrad Award aerospace challenges. In addition, students will answer Al Gore’s energy challenge to America, by using renewable energy to change everyday life.

“This generation like every other generation, has the ability to design its future. Our award provides the resources for them to do so,” said Nancy Conrad, wife of the late Pete Conrad and founder of the Conrad Foundation.

Students create unique products, produce viable business plans, and are given opportunities to bring their ideas to market. This competition provides students with the ability to network with scientists, university professors, world business leaders, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. “Winning is just the beginning,” said Nancy Conrad. “This competition is the pipeline from education to industry. We have not only created a program, we’re driving a movement.”

In May 2007 the X PRIZE Foundation announced the creation of the Pete Conrad Spirit of Innovation Award, to be presented to "the high school team that develops the most creative, new space concept to benefit the emerging personal spaceflight industry." The first award was presented at the 2007 Wirefly X PRIZE Cup at the Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, it was presented to two students from Milken Community High School.