Congratulations 2010 Grand Prize Winners
- Ashley Blessin - Walden Lake (3rd grade) - Multi-beverage Drinking Vessel
- Luke Anderson - Home School (6th grade) - Staple Recovery Device
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posted Feb 16, 2010 2:14 PM by Anton Hopen
Middle School Division grand prize winner Luke Anderson was on hand today with Kim Coley, District 5 Director of the Florida Parent Educator Association (FPEA) to accept a $1,000 check to FPEA. At Luke's recommendation FPEA will use the money to help fund a college scholarship for home school children. Luke is also taking part of his own award and donating it Crohn’s disease research. Luke invented a device to pick and and safely release staples and other sharp objects. |
posted Feb 12, 2010 5:18 AM by Anton Hopen
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updated Feb 12, 2010 6:56 AM
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Feb. 11, TAMPA. At MOSI's Science Works Theater it was standing room only as ten of the area's most talented young inventors pitched their ideas to a panel of judges. The judging panel included Dr. Karen Holbrook, Vice President of Research and Innovation at the University of South Florida; Kevin Harrington, CEO of TVGoods.com and star of ABC's Shark Tank; Jennifer Holloway, former Bay News 9 anchor and award-winning inventor of the Workout 180; Dr. Sebastian Dewhurst, CEO of EASA and patent-holding inventor; Valerie McDevitt of USF's Division of Patents & Licensing; and Israel Morejon, CEO of LEDNovation and holder of more than 12 patents. Dr. Paul Sanberg, Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation at USF and holder of more than 30 patents presented medals of Science and Technology to each finalist. Ralph Bosek, Chief Operating Officer at MOSI presented each finalist with an annual pass to MOSI and Learning Express Toys presented $100 gift cards.
Kelly Lefferts, Associate General Counsel to Outback Steakhouse awarded Alexis Kabougeris Goldberg the Outback Top Trademark Award for CLUTTER GUTTER for a device that prevents items from falling behind a dresser. Outback also awarded $50 gift cards to all the finalists.
The finalists made wonderful presentations and the judging was extraordinarily difficult. Ashely Blessin (3rd grade) of Walden Lake Elementary won the elementary school division with a cup that holds multiple types of beverages. Luke Anderson (6th grade) home school won the middle school division with a magnetic device that recovers staples. Each grand prize winner took home $1,000. In addition, Walden Lake Elementary received another $1,000 and 2010 USF Young Innovator Cup. The Florida Parent Educator Association will receive $1,000 on behalf of Luke Anderson. |
posted Feb 8, 2010 3:52 AM by Anton Hopen
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updated Feb 8, 2010 9:41 AM
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Three of the ten Young Innovator finalists appeared live on 10-Connects (WTSP) this morning to share their inventions. Morning anchors Ginger Gadsen and Keith Jones interviewed finalists Katelyn Yarbrough, Ashley Blessin and Bailee Hebbler.
Yarbrough pitched her portable deodorant wipes she calls WiPitts. Blessin discussed her cup for holding two types of drinks simultaneously. Hebbler showed off her refrigerated Cooler Pillow.
Yarbrough, Blessin and Hebbler will compete with seven other finalists this Thursday, February 11th at MOSI for the grand prize award.
 Morning anchor Keith Jones readies his interview questions next to the USF Young Innovator Cup trophy.
Contest founder Anna Hopen helps coordinate the live interview. |
posted Feb 6, 2010 10:28 AM by Anton Hopen
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updated Feb 6, 2010 11:22 AM
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The University of South Florida College of Business provided a workshop today for the Innovation Express Young Innovator Finalists. The Finalists were previously selected by the National Academy of Inventors at the University of South Florida. Dr. Patricia Nickinson (right) led the workshop which focused on various aspects of business presentation including voice projection, eye contact, posture and body language. In attendance were finalists Paula Velasquez (6th grade, Athenian Academy of Pasco), Katelyn Yarbrough (3rd grade, Walden Lake Elementary), Ashley Blessin (3rd grade, Walden Lake Elementary), Bailee Hebbler (6th grade, Bartow Middle), Laney Blair (4th grade, McKeel Elementary Academy), Lauren Pinero (3rd grade, Oakstead Elementary), Giavanna Jadick (6th grade, Martinez Middle), and Luke Anderson (6th grade, home-school).
Finalists were also provided suggestions on posture and apparel by professional photographer Suzanne Gallagher (photo right) of Positive Impact Magazine. Hair should be kept away from the face and clothes that are "busy" (i.e., with words and loud designs) should be avoided. Gallagher noted that straight posture makes the photography subject more interesting and makes for a more compelling photo.
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posted Feb 6, 2010 10:24 AM by Anton Hopen
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updated Feb 6, 2010 10:27 AM
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On February 1, 2010, twenty five members of the National Academy of Inventors at the University of South Florida poured through over two hundred invention submissions in a single day. The finalists were selected on four criteria: (1) creativity and originality; (2) value of the invention; (3) benefit to the public; and (4) marketability of the invention. From the submissions the top five elementary school entries and the top five middle school entries were selected.
Middle School Division Finalists:
- Bailee Hebbler - Bartow Middle (6th grade) - Cooler Pillow
- Paula Velasquez - Athenian Academy of Pasco (6th grade) - Easy Jar
- Giavanna Jadick - Martinez Middle (6th grade) - Go-Green Machine
- Jessica Alzamora - Burns Middle (8th grade) - Growing Clothes
- Luke Anderson - Home School (6th grade) - Staple Tank
Elementary School Division Finalists:
- Alexander Klaus - Westchase Elementary (Kindergarten) - Magnatie
- Katelyn Yarbrough - Walden Lake Elementary (3rd grade) - Deodorant Wipes
- Laney Blair - McKeel Elementary Academy (4th grade) - Switch-o-Frame
- Ashley Blessin - Walden Lake Elementary (3rd grade) - Two-Way Cupper
- Lauren Pinero - Oakstead Elementary (3rd grade) - Pillowminder
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posted Feb 6, 2010 10:23 AM by Anton Hopen
(Feb 1, 2010): Outback's top trademarks of all the invention submission are:
Clutter Gutter - GRAND PRIZE WINNER - device to keep your stuff from falling behind your dresser.
HONORABLE MENTION:
The Scrubbie - pocket to slip your soap in and use in the shower.
Hocus Focus - Memory game to help you focus.
Bow-Wow-Mee-Wow - Battery operated pet vac brush.
The Magnatie - Magnetic shoelaces to keep them from untying.
Pop-Coozie - Insulator for a popsicle stick.
Smart Cap - Water saving device for brushing your teeth.
Two-Way Street - A divider for your recycling in your trashcan.
Co-Green Machine - A recycling foot operated aluminum can crusher.
Voelkatron - GPS system to find your missing video games.
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posted Jan 22, 2010 7:52 AM by Anton Hopen
WFLA's Gayle Guyardo interviewed contest Director Anton Hopen and contest founder Anna Hopen this morning at NBC studios in Tampa.
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posted Jan 17, 2010 1:35 PM by Anton Hopen
Innovation Express Contest |
posted Jan 11, 2010 10:51 AM by Anton Hopen
Finalist medals for the 2010 USF Young Innovator Cup have arrived.
The Elementary School Division Young Innovator Cup has been updated with the 2009 winner, Max Hartle.
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posted Jan 4, 2010 7:46 AM by Anton Hopen
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updated Jan 4, 2010 7:55 AM
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Kevin Harrington, one of the stars on ABC's hit show "Shark Tank" will judge the finalist competition on February 11th at MOSI's Science Works Theater. Harrington is widely acknowledged as the pioneer and principal architect of the “infomercial” industry. Since producing the industry’s first infomercial in the 1980s, Harrington has financed more than 500 product launches resulting in sales of more than $4 billion worldwide with 20 products reaching individual sales of over $100 million each, and creating dozens of millionaires.
As a young entrepreneur at the age of 19, Harrington launched and operated a successful company that reached $1 million in annual sales and employed 25 people, all while still in college. In 1979, he started Franchise America, a franchise consulting and brokerage business, through which he sold thousands of businesses, giving him insight to the inner workings of dozens of industries; from restaurants to retail to small manufacturing, etc.
Harrington’s book, ACT NOW!, explains how he innovatively turns ideas into million-dollar products. It is available through Amazon and at bookstores nationwide. Examples of popular products available through TVGoods.com currently are: Tony Little fitness, George Foreman cleaning, Jay “the Juice Daddy” Kordich Health, Flying Lure fishing, Wolfman Jack music, and the Dual Saw, marketed by the late legendary pitchman Billy Mays. One TVGoods.com product, the Air-Cutter, a precision vacuum haircutting system, will be featured in the upcoming film Father of Invention starring Kevin Spacey.
For more information on Kevin Harrington, click here. |
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