Bend Research begins 27th annual Inventerprise contest
Lonza announced Friday the 27th Annual Inventerprise Science Contest Challenge. Central Oregon students have an opportunity to identify ways to preserve Earth’s life forms in the 27th annual Inventerprise contest. This contest is sponsored by Bend Research, now a part of Lonza Pharma & Biotech, Bend-La Pine Schools, and Central Oregon Community College.
This year’s competition problem statement is as follows:
“European lions and Javan tigers and giant short-faced bears, oh my! These are just a few examples of species that have become extinct. Invent something to preserve Earth’s life forms. ”
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. Students may choose the medium that best conveys their ideas. Examples of acceptable formats include models, essays, videos and posters. Entries will be judged on originality, usefulness and development of concept. Inventions must not defy the laws of nature. Last year nearly 1,600 students entered individually and in groups, and close to 180 students won awards.
Contest entries will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Wednesday, Oct. 31 to Friday, Nov. 2. Entries may be submitted in person at the Lonza facility located at 63060 Corporate Place in Bend. Alternately, high-schoolers can email entries to inventerprise@lonza.com during the same time period. Winners will be announced on or before Dec. 3.
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 $2,000 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 gear rental. Student winners in grades K-8 will receive specially designed T-shirts and will be invited to a special Science Night presentation at Lonza’s Tumalo facility located at 64550 Research Rd.
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.
Additional information, including the contest flyers, can be found on the Inventerprise website at http://inventerprise.bendresearch.com/home.html .
About Inventerprise
The Inventerprise Contest began in 1992 as an outgrowth of a business-education partnership between Bend Research (now a part of Lonza) and the Bend-La Pine School District to promote science education and enrich students’ educational experience. Thirteen years ago, Central Oregon Community College joined the effort by helping to plan and run the contest. For more information regarding the Inventerprise contest or to request contest rules, please visit the website or call Amanda Pluntze, Nate Glutting or contest director Dory Koehler-King at Bend Research at (541) 382-4100.
