Food focus of this year’s Inventerprise science contest
Central Oregon students have a chance to devise new ways to supply food to the world in the 23rd annual Inventerprise contest sponsored by Bend Research, a division of Capsugel Dosage Form Solutions, with support from Bend-La Pine Schools and Central Oregon Community College.
The theme of this year’s contest addresses the growing nutritional needs of the Earth’s people. The problem statement is “From farm to table, devise a new way to grow, produce, or deliver food to the world. Invent a gadget, system, or process that will provide nutrition efficiently to the ever-increasing number of humans.”
The Inventerprise contest is open to all Central Oregon students in grades K-12, including home-schooled students. Last year more than 1,350 students entered, individually or in groups, and more than 180 students won awards. Students may choose the medium that best conveys their ideas, including models, essays, movies, computer programs, and posters. Inventions must not defy the laws of nature.
Entries are due November 7, and winners will be announced by December 1. Entries will be judged on originality, usefulness, and development of concept.
Prizes will be awarded at all grade levels. The students submitting the top high-school entries will split $1,800. The student submitting the top middle-school entry will choose from among an iPod, GoPro camera, tablet computer, mountain bike, or season ski pass to Mount Bachelor. Student winners in grades K-8 will receive specially designed T-shirts and be invited to a special Science Night presentation at Bend Research.
Deliveries of entries will be accepted at the Bend Research fabrication facility at 63060 Corporate Place in Bend from 8 a.m. Wednesday, November 5, through 5 p.m. Friday, November 7.
Students may enter as individuals or in groups of up to three people. This press release, contest flyers, and additional information also can be downloaded from the Inventerprise website at http://inventerprise.bendresearch.com/home.html.
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.
About Inventerprise
The Inventerprise Contest began in 1992 as an outgrowth of a business-education partnership between Bend Research and the Bend-La Pine School District to promote science education and enrich students’ educational experience. Eleven years ago, Central Oregon Community College joined the effort by helping to plan and run the contest.
For more information regarding the Inventerprise 2014 contest or to request contest rules, please visit the website or call Dory Koehler-King or Nate Glutting at Bend Research at 541-382-4100.
About Bend Research
For more than 35 years, Bend Research has worked with clients to create value by advancing new medicines that improve human health and to solve their most difficult scientific and technical problems. This success is based on the company’s ability to develop, advance, and commercialize pharmaceutical technologies, which grow from a solid base of scientific and engineering fundamental understanding. Bend Research is a leader in novel formulations, including spray-dried dispersion (SDD) and hot-melt extrusion (HME) formulations, as well as controlled-release, inhalation, and biotherapeutics technologies. Bend Research is now a division of Capsugel’s Dosage Form Solutions (DFS) business unit.
About Capsugel
Capsugel is a global leader in delivering high-quality, innovative dosage forms and solutions to its customers in the health care industry. The company’s Hard Capsule business offers customers the broadest portfolio of gelatin, vegetarian, and other specialized capsule technologies. Capsugel’s Dosage Form Solutions (DFS) business utilizes an array of proprietary technologies and specialized manufacturing capabilities to solve customers’ most pressing product development challenges, including bioavailability enhancement, modified release, abuse deterrence, biotherapeutic processing, and inhalation formulation. The company’s fast-to-clinic program streamlines product development from pre-formulation through clinical and commercial supply for finished dosage forms. Headquartered in Morristown, N.J., Capsugel serves more than 4,000 customers in more than 100 countries. For additional information, visit www.capsugel.com.
