Official Results
TAM AIR listed among the Conrad Challenge Alternates
Official Conrad Challenge Alternates listing — TAM AIR in the Energy & Environment category
The five Conrad Challenge competition categories
Out of over 1,500 teams from 60+ countries, TAM AIR has been recognized as an Alternate Finalist in the Conrad Challenge's Energy & Environment category, placing us in the top 1-3% of all competitors.
As an alternate, TAM AIR is on standby—if any of the 5 selected finalists in Energy & Environment are unable to attend the Innovation Summit in Houston, our team could advance.
TAM AIR listed among the Conrad Challenge Alternates
Official Conrad Challenge Alternates listing — TAM AIR in the Energy & Environment category
The five Conrad Challenge competition categories
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Conrad Challenge organizers, reviewers, and judges for this incredible opportunity. Being recognized as an Alternate Finalist among 1,500+ teams is a tremendous honor.
The feedback and experience gained through this process have been invaluable to our team's growth and to the development of Sylva.
We congratulate all selected finalist teams across all five categories—Aerospace & Aviation, Cyber Technology & Security, Energy & Environment, Health & Nutrition, and The Water Challenge—heading to the Innovation Summit in Houston.
TAM AIR stands ready as an alternate and continues building Sylva regardless of outcome. The work goes on.
The Conrad Challenge is a multi-phase innovation and entrepreneurial competition for students ages 13-18. Named after Apollo 12 astronaut Charles "Pete" Conrad, the competition encourages students to develop innovative products and services that address real-world challenges.
The competition focuses on five key categories: Aerospace & Aviation, Cyber Technology & Security, Energy & Environment, Health & Nutrition, and The Water Challenge. Teams work to create sustainable solutions with genuine market potential.
Visit Conrad ChallengeOur Conrad Challenge entry for environmental monitoring
Every year, 8-14 million tons of plastic enter our oceans—killing over 100,000 marine animals.
California is fighting back, but cleanup teams need better tools to know where to focus.
Sylva delivers actionable intelligence from the air—500 acres per hour.
Visit Sylva WebsiteCalifornia's highways and coastlines accumulate millions of pounds of litter annually. Cleanup organizations struggle to efficiently allocate resources because they don't know where pollution hotspots are located.
Sylva is an environmental monitoring dashboard that uses drone imagery and AI to detect and map litter along highways and coastlines, helping organizations like Caltrans and Keep California Beautiful prioritize cleanup efforts.
Our journey through the Conrad Challenge
Successfully registered for the Conrad Challenge 2025-2026 season.
CompletedSubmitted our comprehensive project proposal and business plan.
CompletedAdvanced through the semifinal round with our Sylva proposal.
CompletedNamed Alternate Finalist in Energy & Environment. On standby for the Innovation Summit in Houston.
Alternate Finalist / StandbyBeing named an Alternate Finalist in the Conrad Challenge validates our approach and proves that student-led teams can compete at the highest levels of innovation. Out of 1,500+ teams from over 60 countries, TAM AIR placed in the top 1-3%.
Regardless of whether we advance to the Innovation Summit, this recognition fuels our continued development of Sylva. The technology we're building—AI-powered drone monitoring for environmental cleanup—has real-world applications that extend far beyond any competition.
Our commitment: We continue developing Sylva and working with partners like Caltrans, Keep California Beautiful, and Clean California to make a tangible impact on California's environment.
Help us keep developing Sylva and advancing our environmental monitoring mission. Your support helps cover prototype development, materials, and continued research.