Somewhere on Vancouver Island, a young inventor is working on a device to help people with hand tremors write more clearly.
Another is dreaming up a contraption to measure the speed of sports projectiles.
And still another young inventor is developing a listening device which will pick up faint voices in noisy rooms.
These are some of the creations which have been entered in the University of Victoria’s Innovation and Development Corporation’s (IDC) first invention contest.
“We’ve had quite a few entries but we’re hoping for more, especially from Vancouver Island high school students,” said IDC business development officer Adam Cowley.
The deadline for the contest, sponsored by Telus, is Jan. 31. It’s open to all students at Vancouver Island high schools and student, faculty and staff at UVic, Camosun College, Royal Roads University, Malaspina University College and North Island College. Contestants are eligible for $20,000 worth of prizes for best invention, best software concept, best food and beverage idea, best sports concept and best high school invention. There is also a people’s choice award.
Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges with experience in technology evaluation and product development. The prize winners will be announced at a ceremony on Feb. 28. Prizes for high school students include a voucher for a semester of tuition at Camosun College.
The competition is being held to encourage inventors and entrepreneurs to turn their creative ideas into commercial realities.
Organizers are hoping to turn the IDC invention competition into an annual event, with more participants and more chances to win cash and prizes.
For information go to www.idcinvention.com.
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