 |
|
|
|
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. |
 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. |
 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).
 |
|
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:
Elementary School Division Finalists:
|
|
WFLA's Gayle Guyardo interviewed contest Director Anton Hopen and contest founder Anna Hopen this morning at NBC studios in Tampa.
 |
|
|
|
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.
 |
 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.
 For more information on Kevin Harrington, click here. |
 |
 |
|
(8-27-09) For the 2nd year in a row, Dru Jeanis at Pure Postcards has agreed to donate a run of 20,000 full-color postcards for distribution throughout the seven county school districts. We have already received commitments from several counties that are excited to participate and engage their students in this project. |
 Dr. Sanberg is chief executive of a developmental Tampa company, Saneron C Cell Therapeutics, which operates out of the University of South Florida, and a distinguished professor of neuroscience there. |
|
(9-3-09) Thanks to Scott DeLarco, owner of Hallmark Emblems for creating the new "kid-friendly" logo for Innovation Express. Hallmark Emblems is a leading manufacturer of embroidery based in Tampa, Florida. It is the authorized manufacturer for Major League Baseball, National Football League, National Hockey League, Collegiate, and the National Basketball Association. Hallmark Emblems is producing a custom patch for all Innovation Express participants in addition to judging pins. |
 |
|
Bright House Networks awarded the contest a $15,000 media grant to broadcast a public service announcement to over one million households.
|
