STEM to Summit: The Series
Mr. Uchida’s Legacy Reaches New Heights
For more than 75 years, Yosh Uchida taught that judo was more than competition. His goal was to develop the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Through his leadership at San Jose State University, he inspired generations of students to challenge themselves, pursue excellence, and serve others.
That philosophy continues today through the Yosh Uchida Legacy Foundation's new STEM to Summit initiative.
STEM to Summit combines STEM education, leadership development, and sport-based learning to challenge students to solve real-world problems while working across cultures and disciplines.
Early Steps
YULF Founder, Len Tedeschi, at the Everest Base Camp holding a portable weather station developed by Cornell Systems Engineering students.
In early 2026, YULF partnered with FIRST Global, Everest Judo, and Cornell Systems Engineering to launch the program’s first pilot project in Nepal. The team helped establish a hands-on STEM program at the Hillary Judo School in Khumjung, developed technologies designed for extreme environments, and tested those technologies during an expedition to Mount Everest.
On May 23, 2026, YULF founder Len Tedeschi reached the summit of Mount Everest carrying the STEM to Summit flag. While not every technical objective was achieved, the project successfully demonstrated the power of combining education, innovation, and adventure to inspire young people.
More importantly, it showed that students from different countries and backgrounds can work together to tackle meaningful challenges and learn from one another.
Len Tedeschi (right) holding up the STEM to Summit Flag at the summit of Mount Everest.
Nkoroi Secondary School
The lessons learned in Nepal are already being applied to the next phase of STEM to Summit. YULF is supporting a growing judo program at Nkoroi Secondary School in Kenya and is working with local and international partners to establish a hands-on STEM and Judo program there.
By integrating education, Judo, and cross-cultural collaboration, the program reflects the values that defined Yosh Uchida’s legacy: discipline, perseverance, respect, and the pursuit of excellence both on and off the mat.
The long-term vision is to connect students from around the world through collaborative projects that develop leadership, technical skills, and global citizenship.
Why it Matters
In the spirit of Yosh Uchida’s lifelong commitment to developing the whole person, STEM to Summit challenges participants not only to build technical skills, but also to cultivate leadership, resilience, teamwork, and a commitment to serving their communities.
Just as Coach Uchida used judo as a vehicle to prepare students for success in life, STEM to Summit uses real-world challenges to empower young people to become innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders who make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
Yosh Uchida believed that discipline, education, and perseverance could change lives. STEM to Summit is built on that same belief.
The summit of Everest was not the destination. It was the beginning.
Learn More
To learn more about the STEM to Summit Program, CLICK HERE.
