By Emily Chaffins -
As part of the 2026 Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Competition, representatives from the Toshiba tech firm take a look at the "Smart Sock" prototype created by St. Thomas Apostle School students from Miami. The team won second place in the Grade 4-6 category for their invention idea, meeting Toshiba representatives during the celebratory trip to Washington, D.C. June 3-5, 2026.
At center, Sam Dominguez, Clementina Martinez-Christensen and Adriana Icaza from St. Thomas the Apostle School in Miami pose with celebrities Bill Nye the Science Guy (far left) and Justin “Mr. Fascinate” Shaifer (far right) as winners of the 2026 Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Competition. The St. Thomas team won second place in the Grade 4-6 category for their “Smart Sock” invention idea and met the celebrities during the celebratory trip to Washington, D.C. June 3-5, 2026.
St. Thomas the Apostle School students Clementina Martinez-Christensen (far left) and Sam Dominguez (far right) receive tips on video recording from Clementina's dad, Sebastian Martinez-Christensen. In the 2026 Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Competition, the largest K-12 science competition in the world, the girls and their teammate Adriana Icaza won second place in the Grade 4-6 category for their "Smart Sock" invention idea.
Adriana Icaza, Sam Dominguez and Clementina Martinez-Christensen from St. Thomas the Apostle School in Miami pose at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. as part of the 2026 Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Competition. In the largest K-12 science competition in the world, the girls won second place in the Grade 4-6 category for their "Smart Sock" invention idea and were interviewed at the National Press Club June 5, 2026.
From left, St. Thomas the Apostle School students Clementina Martinez-Christensen, Sam Dominguez and Adriana Icaza enjoy a tour of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. June 4, 2026. In the 2026 Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Competition, the largest K-12 science competition in the world, the Miami team won second place in the Grade 4-6 category for their "Smart Sock" invention idea.
St. Thomas the Apostle School third-graders Christopher Millilo, Kevin Paul and Matthew Reyes proudly hold their K-3 category regional winner certificates from the 2026 Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Competition. During the 2025-2026 school year, the team made regionals in the largest K-12 science competition in the world for their invention idea, the "SpitBit," a device they envisioned as analyzing saliva for signs of health problems.
Photography: Courtesy
MIAMI | Below the soaring dome of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., three South Florida students were about to stand before diplomats, government officials and celebrities to share their idea for a revolutionary invention.
Throughout the 2025-2026 school year, Samantha “Sam” Dominguez (6th grade), Adriana Icaza (5th grade) and Clementina Martinez-Christensen (6th grade) from St. Thomas the Apostle School in Miami had outlined the idea for an invention capable of being actualized in the future. Called the “Smart Sock,” the device could track wearers’ gait and foot health, helping doctors more effectively address injuries or diseases.
On June 4, the girls found themselves on the cusp of the 2026 Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Competition’s U.S. Capitol showcase as second-place winners in the Grade 4-6 category.
Photographer: Courtesy
At center, Sam Dominguez, Clementina Martinez-Christensen and Adriana Icaza from St. Thomas the Apostle School in Miami pose with celebrities Bill Nye the Science Guy (far left) and Justin “Mr. Fascinate” Shaifer (far right) as winners of the 2026 Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Competition. The St. Thomas team won second place in the Grade 4-6 category for their “Smart Sock” invention idea and met the celebrities during the celebratory trip to Washington, D.C. June 3-5, 2026.
The 34th annual ExploraVision Competition asked over 2,000 teams of K-12 students to propose ideas for inventions that could plausibly work in the near future, given necessary technological advances. The contest is overseen by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA). Sponsored by the Toshiba tech firm, teams in grade-based categories propose inventions, build websites and even create model prototypes.
Before the Capitol showcase, teacher Carmen M. Garcia prayed with the students from St. Thomas the Apostle, asking St. Joseph of Cupertino, patron saint of students, to be by their side. They also said a “Memorare” together:
“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided…”
The moment had arrived: the result of months of teamwork stretching back to the summer of 2025. For Adriana, Clementina and Sam, their goal went beyond academics. All along, they were envisioning a better world.
Focusing on hope, not problems
For over a decade, Carmen M. Garcia – a veteran teacher at St. Thomas the Apostle School – has been helping the youngest generations dream up inventions.
Having worked at the archdiocesan school for over 35 years, Garcia teaches sixth-grade pre-algebra and the third-grade Elizabeth Ann Seton Gifted Program class. Since the 2010’s, she has served as ExploraVision coach, helping students apply and finish the contest. Kindergarten teacher Anna King has also been instrumental, serving as mentor.
Garcia plays clips from The Jetsons to show students how imagination can lead to great accomplishments. “Back then, escalators didn’t exist, and Rosey the Robot didn’t exist.” Today, both of these cartoon concepts have leapt into the real world: “Now we can compare Rosey to [food-delivery] robots in Coral Gables.”
Photographer: Courtesy
St. Thomas the Apostle School third-graders Christopher Millilo, Kevin Paul and Matthew Reyes proudly hold their K-3 category regional winner certificates from the 2026 Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Competition. During the 2025-2026 school year, the team made regionals in the largest K-12 science competition in the world for their invention idea, the “SpitBit,” a device they envisioned as analyzing saliva for signs of health problems.
This year, ExploraVision recognized two teams from St. Thomas: a group of boys from Garcia’s third-grade gifted class made it to regionals.
The school’s success comes as no surprise. Since beginning to compete over a decade ago, St. Thomas has had a brilliant track record with ExploraVision. Seven teams have made regionals and two teams have been awarded second place in nationals. In 2024, a team went straight to the top, ranking first place nationally in the K-3 category for their “Allergen Detector.”
Two students connected to the Allergen Detector came back for a second-place victory as part of the Smart Sock team. In third grade, Adriana had belonged to the Allergen Detector team. Emilia Martinez-Christensen – sister of Smart Sock team member Clementina – had also worked on the Allergen Detector.
According to Adriana’s mom, Ms. Garcia’s approach to coaching is simple but profound: “If you see a problem, try to find a solution,” recounted Mariana De Michele. “If there’s something that worries you, instead of worrying about it, why don’t you think about a solution that could help?”
The Smart Sock was not official schoolwork, so the team brainstormed while hanging out at each other’s houses. Considering the problems they were facing, all three agreed that the Smart Sock could be the answer.
When Sam thinks “Smart Sock,” her athletic experience comes into play. Involved in five sports, she wants to improve quality of life for friends who have sustained injuries, hoping to “detect problems early.”
One injured athlete Sam knows personally is Smart Sock teammate Clementina, who will be competing in track and field Junior Olympics this August.
In January, Clementina developed shin splints. Her recovery was hard, especially since she regressed a month later, her bone nearly fracturing. Now fully recovered, she says a Smart Sock could “help me correct the way I would run” and keep injuries at bay for herself and others.
For Adriana, her grandfather provides the motivation, as he has trouble walking due to balance problems.
Inventing the Smart Sock
When the team researched the impact of foot- and walking-related problems, the data was staggering. Approximately 14 million Americans ages 65 and up suffer from falls annually, and 15% of people worldwide struggle with impairments to walking.
Photographer: Courtesy
St. Thomas the Apostle School students Clementina Martinez-Christensen (far left) and Sam Dominguez (far right) receive tips on video recording from Clementina’s dad, Sebastian Martinez-Christensen. In the 2026 Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Competition, the largest K-12 science competition in the world, the girls and their teammate Adriana Icaza won second place in the Grade 4-6 category for their “Smart Sock” invention idea.
The Smart Sock would minimize gait issues, be able to sense changes in foot health, send data to doctors, and message family members for help if a loved one falls. People with flat feet or ulcers are just two groups who could benefit.
To demonstrate their concept was plausible and relevant, the girls searched for developing technologies that could be utilized. Nanosensors could potentially be implanted in the sock to collect data, and inflatable soles could adjust impaired walking. Artificial intelligence could assist with data processing.
Today’s technology is not yet up to scratch. To bring the Smart Sock to life, sensors, smart fabric and charging tech would need to be tailored specifically to the device’s tasks.
The girls bounced their ideas off of Adriana’s mom, a doctor of internal medicine whose husband is an anesthesiologist. Although current technology will have to be brought up to speed to make it work, De Michele said the Smart Sock “has thousands of applications.”
Besides medical applications, the Smart Sock could also be utilized in sports performance improvement. “If an athlete has technology like that, they can perfect their running, jumping, kicking, skating. The data is being fed back to them and they can perfect their craft with the technology.”
The girls documented their research on a website, with Clementina’s mom, Carmen Fuentes, giving tips on web design.
“I studied advertising, so I love visual communication,” Fuentes said. “I just guided them on keeping the website easy to read and not very cluttered.”
The hard work paid off: by the end of the school year, they had won second place in the Grade 4-6 category. Each girl was granted a $5,000 savings bond as a scholarship.
On June 4-5, they would be guests of honor at the U.S. Capitol and the National Press Club.
St. Thomas the Apostle Goes to D.C.
Sam was over the moon: she was headed to the capitol for the first time in her life! The trip would be a full-circle moment for Adriana as a previous winner. Clementina and her sister Emilia, contest alumna, returned to the same photo points in the city to take new snapshots.
Photographer: Courtesy
Adriana Icaza, Sam Dominguez and Clementina Martinez-Christensen from St. Thomas the Apostle School in Miami pose at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. as part of the 2026 Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Competition. In the largest K-12 science competition in the world, the girls won second place in the Grade 4-6 category for their “Smart Sock” invention idea and were interviewed at the National Press Club June 5, 2026.
Even “Gladys” – the girls’ nickname for the mannequin leg wearing their Smart Sock prototype – would be coming along for the ride. Not that it was easy for Sam’s mom to explain Gladys to airport security!
At the National Press Club June 5, the team was featured on TV and radio stations from Miami, Jacksonville and Tampa. The girls enjoyed getting their makeup done for the screen. Clementina knew what to expect for the interview process, since her dad is an ESPN reporter.
The families returned from the trip with renewed enthusiasm. They are looking into patents.
Sam’s mom, Jessica Dominguez, was blown away. “It was very inspiring to me. Growing up, I guess I never had the opportunity to think I could make something. Having the girls understand that their ideas matter” meant the world.
Clementina’s mom reflected on ExploraVision’s impact on her daughters. “I see it in both of them: their critical thinking went through the roof.”
Sam wants to keep inventing: “It gave me a reminder that you can accomplish anything if you put your mind to it and work hard.”
Through ExploraVision, Adriana believes she has discovered her calling in biomedical engineering, since she has “a big passion for helping solve these types of problems.”
“I really liked working with my friends because we get along really well,” shared Clementina. “We had funny moments and hard moments, but we always worked together. I’m so glad we got to live this experience and go on a trip together.”
For their teacher, Garcia, St. Thomas’ success in ExploraVision is a reminder of why she has dedicated all these years to education. “This encourages teachers to teach. When you see this, it brings out the best teaching skills in a person.”
Adriana’s and Clementina’s younger siblings, Javier and Clarissa – also St. Thomas students – tagged along on the expedition to D.C.
Who knows? Perhaps they and their classmates will be future inventors.
Interested in a Catholic education for your child? Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Miami provide academic excellence rooted in faith for students from infancy through 12th grade. Find a school near you and learn more about admissions at the Archdiocese of Miami School Finder.
