FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 9, 2002
Small Inventors to Exhibit Big Ideas at
Irvine Valley 2003 Invention Fair
Popular contest highlights ingenious gadgets made by school children from throughout Orange County.
IRVINE, CA— Nearly 500 young inventors from local elementary and junior high schools will meet at Irvine Valley College on Saturday, January 25 for the 16th Irvine Valley College “Astounding Inventions of the Future Fair,” sponsored by the IVC Foundation.
Student finalists in kindergarten through eighth grade, representing 40 schools in Irvine, Tustin, and Laguna Beach Unified School Districts will submit hand-crafted inventions conceived and built specifically for the competition. The event will be held from 10:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in IVC’s Hart Gymnasium. The public is invited to view the inventions beginning at 11:30 a.m.; awards for the most Astounding Inventions will be given during a public ceremony in the gymnasium, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free.
“This is a popular community event where the entire family can participate,” said Dr. Glenn Roquemore, president of Irvine Valley College. “Thousands of area students submit their invention entries for this event each year, culminating with an exciting one-day competition during which the finalists will be judged by community leaders,” he said.
The 500 finalists were chosen by their schools from among the 3,500 students participated in this year’s program. Inventions are grouped by grade level and are judged on their originality, usefulness, written description and illustration. Over 60 judges representing the scientific, education, civic and business communities will determine the winners, who receive U.S. Savings Bonds, certificates and ribbons from the Irvine Valley College Foundation.
The Fair includes special entertainment, scientific and creative educational activities for the entire family. This year will include faculty science demonstrations, information booths, and tours of the IVC campus.
The Irvine Valley College Foundation Astounding Inventions of the Future competition was conceived by the college in 1987 to promote creativity and interest in mathematics and science education among the area’s students. Award winners go on to compete at different levels of state and national math and science invention competitions. Previous winners have been featured guests on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
Major corporate sponsors for this year’s event include Conexant Systems, Inc.; Emulex Corporation; Sempra Energy Utilities; Skyworks; Southern California Edison; ACS State and Local Solutions; and Frank and Sandy Micheletti.
For more information, please call the Irvine Valley College Foundation at (949) 451-5290. For sponsorship information, contact the Irvine Valley College Foundation Director, Bill Christiansen at (949) 451-5472.
Irvine Valley College is located at 5500 Irvine Center Drive, on the corner of Jeffery Road and Irvine Center Drive in Irvine.