8th annual USF Young Innovator Competition awards students and schools funding for new ideas
Alexis Martin, 2015 Grand Prize Winner for her invention the "Anti-Bully Band"
TAMPA, Fla. – Ten students, selected from over 700 students in grades K-8 from across the Tampa Bay area, will gather on Feb. 11, 2016, Thomas Edison's birthday, and pitch their inventions before a panel of judges at the eighth annual USF Young Innovator Competition (www.usfyounginnovator.com). The final competition will be held this Thursday at 6:00 pm in the University of South Florida School of Music Concert Hall, located at 3755 USF Holly Drive on the USF Tampa campus, and is open to the public.
The student finalists range from grades 5 through 8 and their inventions include a shirt that guides the blind, an expandable shoe and a new use for discarded K-cups. The competition is a partnership between USF, the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) and Home Shopping Network (HSN) to celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship in young students.
The winners are selected by a panel of experts, including HSN television host Bill Green, USF Senior Vice President for Research, Innovation & Economic Development Paul Sanberg and successful entrepreneurs. The competition was founded and is led by Tampa patent attorney Anton Hopen who also serves as the current president of the USF Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors.
"These children not only have come up with creative inventions, but they have learned to convey the value of these ideas like an HSN television host selling a new product. They are ready for the spotlight," said Hopen. "This competition is unique in that we blend science and engineering with business."
Blooming Brands, the parent company for Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Flemings Prime Steakhouse, awards a yearly "Top Trademark" award for the finalist who comes up with the best branding for his or her invention.
"We like this event to be lively and fun," said Hopen. Appearances from the USF Sun Dolls and Rocky the Bull, along with music and prizes, are expected.
A talent team at HSN (NASDAQ: HSNI) coached the top ten finalists in presentation skills and public speaking prior to the competition at the HSN studios in St. Petersburg.
The top student inventor will receive a $1,000 cash prize. The first and second runners-up will receive $500 and $250, respectively. Each winner's school receives a matching cash prize to support innovation programs at the school. All participants receive special awards including free admission to MOSI. The ten finalists also receive additional prizes, including annual family passes to MOSI and special gifts from HSN.
Several past finalists have commercialized their inventions and secured patents, and 2011 grand prize winner Marissa Streng demonstrated her invention, the "Puff-n-Fluff," on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.
##
The University of South Florida is a high-impact, global research university dedicated to student success. USF is a Top 25 research university among public institutions nationwide in total research expenditures, according to the National Science Foundation. Serving over 48,000 students, the USF System has an annual budget of $1.6 billion and an annual economic impact of $4.4 billion. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.
###
Media contact: Anton Hopen, 813-925-8505, info@innovationexpress.org