A Science Contest for Central Oregon's K-12 students

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 Inventerprise 2009:  Central Oregon Students
To innovate in the desert

Imagine that the world's deserts expand greatly. This is one possible outcome of changing weather patterns associated with global warming and is the central topic for Inventerprise 2009, the annual science contest sponsored by Bend Research Inc., the Bend-La Pine School District, and Central Oregon Community College. 

Central Oregon students in Grades K-12 will compete for cash and prizes by addressing this year's challenge: You are being awarded the 2050 UN Science Prize for your idea in 2009 that allowed people to better live in or near the world's deserts.

At stake are cash prizes of up to $1,000 for the best high-school entries; a choice between a digital camera, iPod®, mountain bike, or season ski pass to Mt. Bachelor for the top middle-school entry; and dozens of prizes for the lower grades.  Several students in each grade from kindergarten through eighth grade will receive specially designed T-shirts. Winners will also be invited to a special Science Night presentation at Bend Research.

 In addition to prizes for the students, Grade K-5 teachers whose classes have greater than 50% participation will share in at least $1,800 in gift certificates for classroom supplies.

 The contest is open to all Central Oregon students in kindergarten through 12th grade, including home schooled students.  Last year about 700 students entered, individually or in groups, and over 100 of them won awards.  Entries included models, essays, videos, computer programs and posters.  Students may use any appropriate format that best conveys their ideas.

 This year's contest asks students to use their imaginations to cope with desertification of the planet.  These ideas could involve better agricultural techniques for desert regions, water conservation techniques, desert dwelling designs, new desert energy sources, new water sources, or whatever related topic the students wish to explore.

Entries must be received at Bend Research's offices in Tumalo by 5 p.m. Friday, November 13.  Students may enter as individuals or, in Grades K-8, in groups of up to three people.  Entries will be judged on originality, usefulness, and development of concept.

 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.  Five years ago, Central Oregon Community College joined the effort of preparing this contest.

 For more information regarding the Inventerprise 2009 contest or to request contest rules, please visit this website, or call Annie Muske-Dukes or Nate Glutting at Bend Research at 382‑4100.(For information about previous contests, including winners, click here.)

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Schedule  

November 11, 2009	First day that entries may be delivered to Bend Research
November 13, 2009	Final entries are due at 5 p.m. at Bend Research
December 1, 2009	Winners are announced

All entries must be delivered to the Bend Research Tumalo Facility at
64550 Research Road. (see map).

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How To Win

Entries will be judged on originality, usefulness, and development of concept.  Since students are not allowed to be present during the judging, supporting explanatory text and graphics are important in helping the judges evaluate entries.

Entries will be judged behind closed doors by a panel of scientists and engineers.  Judges, like other humans, appreciate brief and clear explanations and are open to new ideas, especially if the ideas appear to be workable and/or the ideas are cool.  Judges are science and education professionals (do not try this at home!).

 About Inventerprise

Inventerprise 2009  is the 18th in a series of creative science contests for students in Central Oregon. Each year, the contest poses a question to spark the imaginations of would-be scientists, challenging them to pursue inventive solutions to pressing problems.

The contest is sponsored by Bend Research Inc., with assistance from the Bend-La Pine School District and Central Oregon Community College.

The contest is open to all Central Oregon students, from kindergarten through 12th grade. This year, the top high-school entrant will compete for $1,000.  The student submitting the top middle-school entry will choose between a digital camera, iPod^®, mountain bike or a season pass to Mt Bachelor. In grades K-8, top entries at each grade will receive specially designed T-shirts and all participants will receive Inventerprise pencils. K-8 winners will also get to attend a special Science Night program at Bend Research.

K-5 teachers whose classes have more than 50% participation will share at least $1800 in gift certificates for classroom supplies.  Click here for details about the teacher incentive program. 

The Inventerprise contest is an outgrowth of a 1992 conference sponsored by the Jacob Javits Foundation, designed to build business/education partnerships to enrich students’ education experiences. (For information about previous contests, including winners, click here.)

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All entries must be delivered to the Bend Research Tumalo Facility at 64550 Research Road.

MAP to Bend Research's Tumalo Facility where the entries must be taken.  (printer-friendly version)

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Future Contests

If you are a teacher or other interested adult who wants to offer suggestions about the contest for next year or volunteer to help, send the project director a note. Help us make this the type of project for which students can receive class credit!  if you are interested in the Teacher Incentive program, click here. 

Inventerprise is sponsored by Bend Research Inc., with help from the Bend-La Pine School District and Central Oregon Community College.

This web site is provided by COCC and maintained by Zelda Ziegler.  Last Update 10/29/2009

Inventerprise Cartoon by Jake LaChapelle

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 2009 CONTEST FLYER    (coming soon)