Students to take part in 26th annual Inventerprise contest
Central Oregon students have a chance to devise new ways to travel in the 26 th annual Inventerprise contest, sponsored by Bend Research, a division of Capsugel, now a Lonza company, and by Bend-La Pine Schools and Central Oregon Community College.
The theme of this year’s contest challenges students to invent or improve means of travel. The problem statement is “Where do you want to go and how will you get there? Humans can travel as close as their own refrigerator or as far as the moon. Get moving and invent or improve the way we travel.”
The Inventerprise contest is open to all Central Oregon students in grades K-12, including home-schooled students. Students may enter as individuals or in groups of up to three people. Last year more than 1,450 students entered, individually and in groups, and more than 170 students won awards. Students may choose the medium that best conveys their ideas, including models, essays, movies, computer programs and posters.
Prizes will be awarded at all grade levels and the exact number of recipients will be determined by the judges. Students submitting the top high-school entries will receive a portion of the $1,800 cash prize. The student or students submitting the top middle-school entries will choose from among a GoPro ® camera, Apple Watch, mountain bike, tablet computer, remote control quadcopter, or season ski/snowboard equipment lease. Student winners in grades K-8 will receive specially designed T-shirts and will be invited to a special Science Night presentation at Capsugel’s Bend Research facility.
In addition, teachers in grades K-5 whose classes have greater than 50 percent participation will be eligible for the Tina McGeary Teacher Incentive Program. This program will distribute at least $2,000 in gift certificates among area teachers for classroom supplies or books. The program is named in memory of Tina McGeary, an Inventerprise contest founder and unflagging advocate of the work that teachers do for the community.
Entries will be accepted at the Capsugel Bend fabrication facility located at 63060 Corporate Place in Bend starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday, November 1, through 5 p.m. Friday, November 3. Winners will be announced on or before December 1. Entries will be judged on originality, usefulness and development of concept. Inventions must not defy the laws of nature.
Download additional information, including the contest flyers, from the Inventerprise website at http://inventerprise.bendresearch.com/home.html .
