Institute of Competition Sciences Announces Student "InventionX Cup"
LAS CRUCES, N.M., Nov. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Institute of Competition Sciences (ICS) today announced the "InventionX Cup" with $24,000 in youth awards and opened registration for teams of K-12th grade students. InventionX targets the heart of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning. The 5-step framework combines the Silicon Valley engineering design process with leading motivation techniques to engage students in learning STEM content. Educators have the freedom to teach to their individual needs while using the best pedagogical approaches to problem solving. Joshua Neubert, co-founder of ICS states, "InventionX provides an opportunity for students to apply STEM knowledge gained in the classroom toward solving real-world challenges in a self-driven process of exploration and creativity."
Teams submit concepts online to compete in monthly challenges. Top scoring teams are invited to the InventionX Academy hosted in Silicon Valley, California, where they learn from professionals how inventions are taken from prototype shelves into the marketplace.
InventionX encourages girls to participate by incorporating leading gender equity strategies into the process. Andrew Moralez, Director of InventionX training, says, "The Cup was designed to encourage the girls who would otherwise be ignored or passed over simply because of their gender. We are helping educators around the country keep all kids engaged in STEM."
InventionX was piloted across the country with more than 3,000 students in 2014-2015. Support from Microsoft and the Lemelson Foundation helped setup these early networks. 2015 marked a pivotal year for the program as new educator training models were developed and the InventionX Cup was designed. Through the 21st Century Community Learning Center federal grants, the Gadsden Independent School District in southern New Mexico was the first to implement the full model of InventionX. U.S. Senator Tom Udall, an advocate for girls in STEM and academic competitions said, "This year's InventionX Cup will allow more New Mexico students to see how the science, technology, engineering and math they're learning at school can help them solve real-world challenges. STEM skills are increasingly important in today's global economy, and InventionX will help inspire the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs to pursue science or high-tech careers. I'm excited that Southern New Mexico's Gadsden District is pioneering this program, and I'll keep working in the Senate to support opportunities that let New Mexico students showcase their STEM knowledge."
Visit: www.InventionX.org
CONTACT: |
ANDREW MORALEZ |
415.535.3885 |
SOURCE Institute of Competition Sciences
Share this article