IVC hosts “Astounding Inventions” Competition,
Jan. 31
January 5, 2004
Young inventors from kindergarten through eighth grade will meet at Irvine Valley College on Saturday, January 31 for the 17th Annual Irvine Valley College “Astounding Inventions” competition, sponsored by the Irvine Valley College Foundation. The competition and exhibition will be held in Hart Gymnasium, judging is from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. A public viewing of the entries will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More than 450 students from throughout Southern Orange County will present inventions they have conceived and crafted on their own for cash prizes and awards. Inventions are grouped by grade level and are judged on their originality, usefulness, written description and illustration.
Astounding Inventions was conceived by the college in 1987 to promote creativity and interest in mathematics and science education among area students. Award winners may go on to compete at different levels of state and national math and science invention competitions. Previous winners of IVC’s Astounding Inventions have been featured guests on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
Sixty judges representing the scientific, education, civic and business communities will determine the winners who receive U.S. Savings Bonds, certificates of achievement and ribbons from the Irvine Valley College Foundation.
Inventions run from the whimsical to the remarkable, like last year’s edible paste one student created to keep a burrito from unrolling, or the pressurized inhaler another student designed for an asthmatic sibling.
During the fall and winter, students representing 40 schools in Irvine and Tustin Unified School Districts submitted their inventions for judging at their schools; the finalists are chosen from nearly 3,000 students who participated this year.
“Astounding Inventions is our most popular community event, and it’s a great opportunity to see how creative and motivated students use their critical thinking skills to find solutions to the problems they encounter in their own lives or in the lives of others,” said Dr. Glenn Roquemore, President of Irvine Valley College. “It’s a great way to bolster their interest in science and technology.”
The day-long event includes scientific, creative and educational activities for the entire family. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., families are invited to the Fun Fair, which includes earthquake demonstrations, Math Magic, a solar telescope exhibit, Mad Chemists, faculty science seminars, campus tours and more.
An awards ceremony for the most Astounding Inventions will begin at 2:30 p.m. in Hart Gymnasium. Admission and parking are free.
Major corporate sponsors for this year’s event include Conexant Systems, Inc.; Sempra Energy Utilities; Rosemont Analytical; and others.
For information, please call the Irvine Valley College Foundation at (949) 451-5272, or call Julie Wilson at (714) 438-5274 or Shari Gunn at (714) 769-7421.
Irvine Valley College is located at 5500 Irvine Center Drive, on the corner of Jeffrey Road and Irvine Center Drive in Irvine.