(Photo courtesy of Bend Research)
Central Oregon students have a chance to devise new ways to improve their learning environment in the 25th annual Inventerprise contest sponsored by Bend Research, a division of Capsugel, and by Bend-La Pine Schools and Central Oregon Community College.
The theme of this year’s contest challenges students to invent something that would positively impact a familiar place – school. The problem statement is “We love learning! Everybody has ideas about how to improve schools. Invent new or improved school buildings, furnishings, learning tools, technology, playing fields or anything else that impacts your education.”
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 1,300 students entered, individually or in groups, and more than 140 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 entry will choose from among an Apple Watch, 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.
In addition, teachers in grades K-5 whose classes have greater than fifty 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 Bend Research fabrication facility located at 63060 Corporate Place in Bend starting at 8am. Wednesday, November 2, through 5pm. Friday, November 4. 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.
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. Twelve years ago, Central Oregon Community College joined the effort by helping to plan and run the contest. For more information regarding the Inventerprise 2016 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.
ABOUT BEND RESEARCH
For 41 years, Bend Research, now a division of Capsugel, 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 fundamental scientific and engineering 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.
ABOUT CAPSUGEL
Capsugel designs, develops and manufactures a wide range of innovative dosage forms for the biopharmaceutical and consumer health and nutrition industries. Our unique combination of science, engineering, formulation and capsule expertise enables our customers to optimize the bioavailability, targeted delivery and overall performance of their products. We partner with more than 4,000 customers in over 100 countries to create novel, high-quality and customized solutions that align with our customers’ evolving needs and benefit patients and consumers. For more information, visit www.capsugel.com.
