Millennium Innovation Award (MIA) - a nationwide STEM challenge - is implemented in Georgia since 2014 with financial support of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia. The challenge has drawn over 3300 high school students from all over the country who present innovative projects in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. The challenge is implemented by the Millennium Foundation and is supported by various organizations.
First prize winner of MIA participates in the NASA’s Space Center University – a one week program implemented at NASA Houston center in the U.S. Space Center University students discover areas such as robotics, rocketry, thermal protection systems and space habitats. Participants are inspired as they engineer solutions to space related challenges, collaborate to find solutions and go behind-the-scenes at NASA Johnson Space Center.
In August 2024, the 2023 first prize winner team “Terra Tech” traveled to NASA and participated in the Space Center University program. The team members are students from various cities of Georgia - Gigi Gamsakhurdia, Luka Kukava, Tamar Gamgebeli, Saba Khaburzania, and Dato Rusia.
As a result of their participation in the NASA Space Center University, Georgian students have gained knowledge about the history of NASA, participated in several simulation exercises, and met with astronaut and engineers at NASA. Georgian participants were awarded with certificates of participation by U.S. astronaut Kenneth D. Cameron.
The participants expressed that these five days were extremely fruitful and memorable. Their testimonials highlight the significance of the experience:
Gigi Gamsakhurdia: "These five days turned my 18-year-old dream into reality, and now I believe that I will return to NASA."
Tamar Gamgebeli: "We spent five days in a world of wonders. The Tram tours were particularly interesting for me."
Luka Kukava: "This visit further solidified my career choice. Visiting and seeing the Apollo 11 was especially fascinating."
Saba Khaburzania: "I really liked the Mission Control room."
Dato Rusia: "Everything was interesting; I can't single out one thing. This was a fantastic journey that I will never forget."
“On behalf of Team Terratech, we thank everyone who made our dream come true. We won and participated in NASA's summer school as part of the prize. This was not only a study visit, but these were truly unforgettable days and the greatest motivation for us to learn more and to serve our country better.” - noted the team members.
All of the first prize winners this year were admitted to top universities in Europe and continue to study engineering, robotics, and STEM professions. All team members believe that participation in the Millennium Innovations Award have solidified their education and future career choices in STEM fields.
The Millennium Innovations Award continues and this year over 92 projects were presented by 395 students covering almost all regions of Georgia. 48% of participants are boys and 52% are girls. The participating teams are from both private (27%) and public (73%) schools. 48% of schools are from the region and 52% from Tbilisi. 11 finalist teams were selected by an independent jury and in the fall of 2024 winner teams will be selected with awards ceremony planned this winter.
