Validate Innovative skills by Establishing a Student Innovation and Invention Competition Program
Connie Wu
Engineering and Patent Information Librarian Rutgers University
36 Patent and Trademark Resource Centers Seminar Alexandra, VA March 27, 2014
Abstract
Student competition is an effective way to challenge students’ creative thinking, validate student innovative skills, and encourage student to prepare themselves for the workplaces after graduation. A PTRC on campus should play a key role in enhancing the endeavor. The presenter will introduce various student innovation and invention contest programs in the States and around world, and share the idea to establish such program at Rutgers University. ∗
Young Inventors Competitions
Collegiate Inventors Competition http://www.invent.org/collegiate/
National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance http://nciia.org/competitions
The Lemelson-MIT Awards for Invention and Innovation http://web.mit.edu/invent/a-main.html
3 College Inventors Competitions
NEXUS Innovation Young Entrepreneurs http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/article/2011/03/20110322173116su0.2460247.html #axzz1PYKtBVV8
U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon http://www.solardecathlon.gov/about.html http://rei.rutgers.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=150&Itemid=1
More Invention Contests and Competitions http://www.ideafinder.com/resource/youth/rpy-competitions.htm http://web.mit.edu/invent/r-archive-4.html
College Inventors Competitions
The GSEA (Global Student Entrepreneur Awards) is the premier global competition for high school, undergraduate and graduate students who own and operate businesses while attending college or university. Nominees compete against their peers from around the world. Founded in 1998 by Saint Louis University, the GSEA is now an Entrepreneurs’ Organization program. http://www.gsea.org/
USF International Business Plan Competition http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_San_Francisco_International_Business_Plan_Competition
Purdue University National Rube Goldberg Machine Contest http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rube_Goldberg_Machine_Contest
MESA USA National Engineering Design Competition http://3blmedia.com/News/CSR/MESA-USA-National-Engineering-Design-Competition-Showcases-Youth- Inventions-Global-Good
Intellectual Ventures-Caltech Invention Competition http://www.intellectualventures.com/insights/archives/announcing-the-2012-intellectual-ventures- caltech-invention-competition-win/
Global Entrepreneurship Week
∗ GEW is an initiativeGlobal to inspire young peopleEntrepreneurship to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity.
∗ For one week (November 14-20), millions of young people around the world join a growing movement of entrepreneurial people, to generate new ideas and to seek better ways of doing things. Countries across six continentsWeek(GEW) come together to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week, an initiative to inspire young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity. To think big. To turn their ideas into reality. To make their mark.
∗ Each November, Global Entrepreneurship Week connects young people everywhere through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators. Students, educators, entrepreneurs, business leaders, employees, non-profit leaders, government officials and many others participated in a range of activities, from online to face-to- face, and from large-scale competitions and events to intimate networking gatherings.
∗ Through this initiative, the next generation of entrepreneurs are inspired and can emerge. In doing so, they will begin to acquire the knowledge, skills and networks needed to grow innovative, sustainable enterprises that have a positive impact on their lives, their families and communities. ∗ http://www.gew.co/
University Contest Programs
∗ Many universities in US and around the world have a student innovation and invention contest program. The contest is open to all students from undergraduates to PhD candidates.
University Contest Programs
∗ MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition ∗ http://wordpress.mit100k.org/
∗ Arizona State University Innovation Challenge ∗ https://asunews.asu.edu/20130301_Innovationchallenge
∗ University Wisconsin-Madison Innovation Days competitions ∗ http://innovation.wisc.edu/innovationdays/rules.html
∗ Ryerson University Student Invention Award ∗ http://www.i-newswire.com/ReleasePrint/266679
∗ Duke Start-Up Challenge ∗ http://www.dukestartupchallenge.org/
Rutgers University Current Situation
Rutgers ERC Young Inventor Competition (YIC) http://yic.rutgers.edu/procedure.php
Rutgers Engineering Recipients of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation http://soe.rutgers.edu/rutgers-engineering-recipients-national-medal-technology-and- innovation-0 http://www.newswise.com/articles/four-rutgers-professors-honored-by-n-j-inventors-hall-of- fame
Rutgers Start-ups http://otc.rutgers.edu/startups/Rutgers-Start-ups
New Jersey is Edison's innovation birthplace. As the world most famous inventor, Edison has inspired creativity and sparked big ideas in others. It is surprising that Rutgers University has not had a university wide student innovation and invention competition for all these years.
Establishing a Student Innovation and Invention Contest Program at Rutgers
∗ I have had this project in mind since 2011 after teaching the Byrne seminar entitled “ABCs of Patents: How to Protect Your Creative Inventions and Avoid Stealing Others.” I was so impressed and inspired by my talented students: some of them already had some inventions, one of them created his own company at age 18, and one built a 3D printer by himself, etc. One engineering student I know worked with his professor and invented a solar tracking system and was granted a US patent as a sophomore.
∗ A student innovation and invention contest program at Rutgers will give students an opportunity to showcase their creative talents. Among 65,000 students at the University, there are many talented and creative students who need to be recognized and inspired by the student innovation and invention contest program. It will greatly promote the image of Rutgers as the largest New Jersey State University.
Preparation for the Project
∗ Sell my idea: ∗ I have met, briefed and discussed with the following people about the idea. They all think it is a great project and encouraged me to investigate further and provide a proposal for the consideration:
∗ Dr. Christopher J. Molloy, senior vice president for research and economic development, ∗ Dr. Richard Mammone, Associate Vice President for Innovation and Technology Commercialization ∗ Dr. Tom Farris, Dean of the School of Engineering ∗ Mr. Vincent Smeraglia, Esq. Executive Director of Office of Technology Commercialization ∗ Dr. Matt Matsuda, College Ave. Campus Dean ∗ Dr. Emilo De Lia, Executive Director Network for Innovation Expertise Development ∗ Dr. Angela Mullis, Director of the Byrne First-Year Seminars ∗ Dr. Paul Israel, Director of Thomas A. Edison Papers
Preparation for the Project
∗ Conduct online searching to find related programs ∗ Find peer institutions and universities that have an invention or innovation program. It seems to me that more European and Asian universities have such programs. ∗ Conduct a thorough literature search to study the similar programs at other universities;
∗ Identify sponsors and grant sources ∗ Local law firms ∗ Local companies ∗ State agencies ∗ Foundations
Steps to Establish the Program
∗ Evaluate similar programs’ websites; ∗ Analyze special features of other university programs and compare their structures; ∗ Identify outside potential financial sponsors for the Rutgers program; ∗ Identify grant agencies and organizations for future grant seeking; ∗ Identify academic partners on campus ∗ Contact and visit student interest groups to gain their support; ∗ Meet with the officers of Division of Academic and Student Programs, Office of the Secretary of Higher Education of New Jersey to obtain support.
Steps to Establish the Program
∗ Draft a proposal of establishing a student innovation and invention contest program at Rutgers University. The proposal will be submitted to the President of University; ∗ Draft an organizational structure for the program; ∗ Create a web page for the program; ∗ Decide content and instruction of contest categories; ∗ Decide the program’s leadership board ∗ Create a faculty advisory committee ∗ Encourage students’ volunteer contributions
Why PTRC Should be Involved
∗ The competition is involved with interdisciplinary areas and various academic departments. It includes all applied sciences, engineering, technology. PTRC is an ideal center to manage the program. ∗ The program makes PTRC visible on campus and in the State. ∗ The program will encourage students’ learning in patent search and make them understand the invention process. It provides an opportunity for PTRC to enhance user services. ∗ It is the best way for PTRC to promote patent and invention awareness. ∗ Transforming the student experience is a major priority for the University’s strategic plan, it is also a mission for PTRC on campus. THANK YOU
Connie Wu LSM Rutgers University 165 Bevier Road Piscataway, NJ 08854 [email protected]