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USF News Coverage of Finalist Competition
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USF Crowns Top Young Inventors
Ten finalists from nearly 600 entries pitched their new inventions to a panel of judges but only one would be named USF’s top innovator. This year the honor went to Mica Jadick for her cereal sifting device that filtered out the crumbs that make the last bowl of cereal unpalatable. Second place went to George Seits for his French-fry condiment holder. Third place went to Katie Warren for her Boo Boo Baboon which is a plush toy that holds a cold-pack around a child’s arm or leg to help with an injury. The judges further awarded a special recognition to Jonathan Ullom for his device to safely clear clogs of grass from lawn mowers.
| Principals, Teachers, Parents…..want to keep in touch with the competition? Have friends, colleagues or family that may want to participate next year? Please forward them this link to stay updated on the 6th Annual Competition for 2014. |
Keely Karnes took home the Outback Top Trademark Award for HEAR-RINGS™ which is her brand for audio ear buds that integrate with earring jewelry. MOSI’s president Wit Ostrenko awarded all finalists annual family memberships to Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry.
2011 USF Young Innovator champion Marissa Streng received her utility patent award from USF President Genshaft. Marissa has commercialized her dog drying invention which is currently for sale under the federally trademarked brand, Puff-N-Fluff.
The ten finalists were:
- Cooper Tharrington Sound Asleep Clock
- George Seits Built-In French-Fry Condiment Holder SECOND PLACE
- Grace Larson Portable Hitching Post for Dogs
- Jonathan Ullom Mower Chute Clearer SPECIAL RECOGNITION
- Katie Warren Boo Boo Baboon THIRD PLACE
- Keeley Karnes Hear-rings
- Mica Jadick Cereal Container that Removes Crumbs FIRST PLACE
- Nicholas Boyd Safe Teen Driver System
- Prerna Ravinder The Back Benefactor
- Stamatina Liristis Scratch O Matic
10 Young Inventors Compete this Monday at USF
T
he University of South Florida will host the finals of the Young Innovator Competition Monday, Feb. 11, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Patel Center for Global Solutions on USF’s Tampa campus. An expo featuring the inventions begins at 5 p.m., with judging and awards following between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
As is tradition, the competition is being held on Thomas Alva Edison’s birthday and in celebration of the spirit of invention and ingenuity. Nearly 600 entries were received from students in the Tampa Bay Region for the competition.
Every entry receives a day pass to T
ampa’s Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) and the 10 finalists receive annual family passes. Outback Steakhouse will award the Top Trademark Award for the most creative invention branding.
On Monday, the top 10 competitors present their invention for an opportunity to win prizes. The National Academy of Inventors, USF Chapter selected the following students as finalists, judging of the inventions will be based on creativity and originality; quality and persuasiveness of entrant’s presentation; benefit to people and the invention’s marketability. In order of Monday night’s presentation, the finalists are:
- Cooper Tharrington Sound Asleep Clock
- George Seits Built-In French-Fry Condiment Holder
- Grace Larson Portable Hitching Post for Dogs
- Jonathan Ullom Lawn Mower Side Discharge Chute Clearer
- Katie Warren Boo Boo Baboon
- Keeley Karnes Hear-rings
- Mica Jadick Cereal Container that Removes Crumbs
- Nicholas Boyd Safe Teen Driver System
- Prerna Ravinder The Back Benefactor
- Stamatina Liristis Scratch O Matic
The USF Young Innovator Competition promotes innovation and creativity in young people by motivating them to solve problems and improve upon the things around them.
2013 Finalist Presentation Workshop
Prior to the annual live competition a workshop is conducted to prepare the children for presenting their inventions to the finalist judges. Teaching the workshop this year were USF assistant professor Dr. Emily Ryalls and EASA Software CEO and 5-time finalist judge Dr. Sebastian Dewhurst.
Dr. Ryalls advised finalists that being nervous was perfectly normal and actually gives speakers an edge with a rush of adrenaline. Everyone has “butterflies” when they give a big presentation…the key is to get those butterflies to “fly in formation.” Another key topic covered by Dr. Ryalls is how to organize their presentation into logical stages and keep things brief.
Dr. Dewhurst gave the audience and acronym to remember: NBAC which stands for “needs, benefits, advantages and costs.” Relaying each of these topics to a judge (or investor) conveys the value of the invention most efficiently. Both presenters advised the finalists to hold back on revealing their invention until they’ve established the problem they seek to solve and build some anticipation for the solution.
All those attending noted the inventions and presentations were some of the best ever presented in the competition and there is great anticipation for Monday night’s event.
Top 10 finalist selected
The National Academy of Inventors, USF Chapter selected the following students to present their inventions at the Fifth Annual Young Innovator Competition on Monday, February 11, 2013:
| Finalist | Invention | School | County | Grade | Teacher |
| Cooper Tharrington | Sound Asleep Clocks | Walden Lake Elem | Hillsborough | 4 | Sandra Van Oosten |
| George Seits | Built-In French-Fry Condiment Holder | Middleton High | Hillsborough | 10 | |
| Grace Larson | Portable Hitching Post for Dogs | Safety Harbor Elem | Pinellas | 4 | Ms. Howard |
| Jonathan Ullom | Lawn Mower Side Discharge Chute Clearer | Home-Schooled | Polk | 11 | |
| Katie Warren | Boo Boo Baboon | St. Pauls School | Pinellas | 3 | Joanie Falk |
| Keeley Karnes | Hear-rings | St. Pauls School | Pinellas | 3 | Joanie Falk |
| Mica Jadick | Cereal Container that Removes Crumbs | Martinez Middle | Hillsborough | 7 | Shane Ama |
| Nicholas Boyd | Safe Teen Driver System | Oak Grove Middle | Pinellas | 8 | Terrie Soltau |
| Prerna Ravinder | The Back Benefactor | McKeel Academy | Polk | 5 | Lisa Bridges |
| Stamatina Liristis | Scratch O Matic | St. Pauls School | Pinellas | 3 | Joanie Falk |
Top 50 invention entries selected
The following entries will proceed for judging by the National Academy of Inventors (USF Chapter) tomorrow (Wed. Jan. 30, 2013) at noon. From these 50, the top ten finalists will be selected. The remaining 40 will receive special Honorable Mention Medals of Science and Innovation (photo right).
Nearly 600 invention entries were judged by a panel of 9 experienced technologists. Including Anton Hopen, Ron Smith, Steve Rogai, Guy Hagen, Woody Pollack, Robert Varkonyi, Michele Lawson, Nilay Choksi and Andriy Lytvyn.
| Inventor | Invention | School | Grade | Teacher |
| Nicolas DeMalteris | Trash Can under Car Seat | Martinez Middle | Mrs. Griffin | |
| Lucas McLaughlin | Magic Laces | Canterbury | 3 | Holly Wintrip/Kim Tomko |
| Sylvia Beach | Self-Fastening Fabric Patch | Highland Lakes Elem | 2 | Cathleen Ell |
| Jonathan Ullom | Lawn Mower Side Discharge Chute Clearer | Home-Schooled | 11 | Home-Schooled |
| Colby Tomasello | Stretchy Shoes | Countryside Montessori | 6 | Bridgett Nicholson |
| Cole Thomas | Cleaning Device | St. Pauls School | 3 | Joanie Falk |
| Alexis Warner | The Toothpaste Saver | St. Pauls School | 3 | Joanie Falk |
| Katie Warren | Boo Boo Baboon | St. Pauls School | 3 | Joanie Falk |
| J. Maxwell Rich | No Spill Milk Jug for Kids | St. Pauls School | 3 | Joanie Falk |
| Stamatina Liristis | Scratch O Matic | St. Pauls School | 3 | Joanie Falk |
| Keeley Karnes | Hear-rings | St. Pauls School | 3 | Joanie Falk |
| Peyton Strawn | Cool’n’ Tool Box | Walden Lake Elem | 3 | Sandra Van Oosten |
| Zach Hall | Cartngo | Walden Lake Elem | 3 | Sandra Van Oosten |
| Kristen Ryan | Game Timer | Walden Lake Elem | 4 | Sandra Van Oosten |
| Ashley Dunn | The Water Cooler | Walden Lake Elem | 4 | Sandra Van Oosten |
| Ben Paquet | Soap-Cloth | Walden Lake Elem | 4 | Sandra Van Oosten |
| Cooper Harrington | Sound Asleep Clocks | Walden Lake Elem | 4 | Sandra Van Oosten |
| Javin Kubarek | Ear Armour-Ear Protector | Highland Lakes Elem | 4 | Cathleen Ell |
| George Seits | Built-In French-Fry Condiment Holder | Middleton High | 10 | |
| Mica Jadick | Cereal Container that Removes Crumbs | Martinez Middle | 7 | Shane Ama |
| Kassidy Jones | Text Off | McKeel Academy | 4 | Charla Stephenson |
| Jennifer Solomon | Umbrella Plant | McKeel Academy | 3 | Ashley Long |
| Samuel Hash | Sunglasses with Built in screwdrivers | McKeel Academy | 4 | Donna Rees |
| Stephen Llopiz | Kiddie Safe Food Tray | McKeel Academy | 4 | Donna Rees |
| Jamie Wheatcraft | The Sandyhook Alert System | McKeel Academy | 4 | Katie Powell |
| Prerna Ravinder | The Back Benefactor | McKeel Academy | 5 | Lisa Bridges |
| Andrew Morales | The Mailbox Cage | McKeel Academy | 5 | Heather McKnight |
| Sara Trinci | Beach Raft Anchor | Electa Lee Magnet | 7 | Rebekka Stasny |
| Preston Plath | The Remote Finder | Electa Lee Magnet | 7 | Rebekka Stasny |
| Liam Holton | Hairbrush for different hair | South McKeel Academy | 4 | Amber Schumaker |
| Evan Thompson | Little dog away from big dogs food | South McKeel Academy | 4 | Amber Schumaker |
| Sidney Rhoton | Scroll Upz | Oak Grove Middle | 8 | Terrie Soltau |
| Elizabeth Lauer | Coffee & Green Tea Hair Dye | Oak Grove Middle | 8 | Terrie Soltau |
| Elizbeth Paredes | Vanity Touch | Oak Grove Middle | 8 | Terrie Soltau |
| Jordyn Avers | Flow Reader | Oak Grove Middle | 8 | Terrie Soltau |
| Karisa Mehl | The Hat Pal | Oak Grove Middle | 8 | Terrie Soltau |
| Jazmin Collins | Musical Laces | Oak Grove Middle | 8 | Terrie Soltau |
| Nicholas Boyd | Safe Teen Driver System | Oak Grove Middle | 8 | Terrie Soltau |
| Matthew Ahrens-Luchynsky | Video Game Shopping Cart | Wellspring Enrichment | 1 | Angela Hartle |
| Mikal Willeke | Air Powered Mattress Corner Lifter | Wellspring Enrichment | 5 | Angela Hartle |
| Grace Larson | Portable Hitching Post for Dogs | Safety Harbor Elem | 4 | Ms. Howard |
| Arlette Martinez | Crasher stopper | McKeel Academy | 4 | Charla Stephenson |
| Morgan Brazier | MusiPack | Anderson Elementary | 5 | Stephanie Branson |
| Bud Medvid | Quick Tape Cut Dispenser | Oak Grove Middle | 8 | M. Daniels |
| Annabelle Anderson | Hot Lunch | St. Pauls School | 4 | Joanie Falk |
| Elizabeth Adair | Automatic Pausing Headphones | Home-Schooled | 8 | Home-Schooled |
| Zach Duart | Wheel-chair wheel cover all-terrain adapter | Keswick Christian | 3 | Eleanor Baumner |
| Anna Williams | X-Faucet Gloves | Keswick Christian | 3 | Eleanor Baumner |
| Cody Norris | Auto-Ladder | Keswick Christian | 3 | Eleanor Baumner |
| Gabriel Sonnenschein | Multiport Auto-Timing Charging Station | Keswick Christian | 3 | Eleanor Baumner |
UPDATED Jan. 29, 2013: By the numbers: top counties, grades and educators
Total Count: 573 Submission for 2013.
Top Ten Most Prolific Educators by Invention Submissions:
- Terrie Soltau, Oak Grove Middle: 60 entries
- Cathleen Ell, Highland Lakes Elementary: 50 entries
- Sandra Van Oosten, Walden Lake Elementary: 50 entries
- Joanie Falk, St. Pauls School: 35 entries
- Angela Hartle, Wellspring Enrichment: 24 entries
- Holly Wintrip/Kim Tomko, Canterbury: 21 entries
- Charla Stephenson, McKeel Academy: 20
- Donna Rees, McKeel Academy: 20
- Lisa Bridges, McKeel Academy: 20
- Amber Schumaker, South McKeel Academy: 20
By county:
- Pinellas: 206
- Polk: 202
- Hillsborough: 143
- Citrus: 7
- Pasco: 7
- Manatee: 5
- Sarasota: 4
- Hernando: 0
By Grade Level:
- Kindergarten: 6
- 1st Grade: 12
- 2nd Grade: 71
- 3rd Grade: 118
- 4th Grade: 158
- 5th Grade: 80
- 6th Grade: 31
- 7th Grade: 13
- 8th Grade: 77
- 9th Grade: 2
- 10th Grade: 1
- 11th Grade: 2
- 12th Grade:
- Unknown: 3
Total Elementary: 445
Total Middle School: 121
Total High School: 5
By School:
- McKeel Academy: 176
- Oak Grove Middle: 73
- Highland Lakes Elementary: 50
- Walden Lake Elementary: 50
- St. Pauls School: 36
- Wellspring Enrichment: 24
- Canterbury: 24
- South McKeel Academy: 22
- Martinez Middle: 23
- Keswick Christian: 16
- Spessard L. Holland: 16
- Churchwell Elementary: 7
- Inverness Middle: 7
- Anderson Elementary: 5
- Electa Lee Magnet: 5
- Westchase Elementary: 5
- Venice Christian: 4
- Countryside Montessori: 3
- Safety Harbor Elementary: 3
- Home-Schooled: 3
- Sanderlin IB: 2
- McKitrick Elementary: 2
- Tampa Prep: 2
- Imagine Charter: 2
- Ballast Point: 1
- Cambridge Christian: 1
- Countryside High: 1
- Mea (Polk) : 1
- Mulberry Middle: 1
- Pinellas Academy of Match and Science: 1
- Trinity Elementary: 1
- Denham Oaks Elem: 1
- Dunedin Highlander Middle: 1
- Gorrie Elementary: 1
- Lomax Magnet: 1
- Middleton High: 1
- Valrico Lake Advantage Academy: 1
- Wiregrass Ranch High: 1
