Invention contest caters to students

By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer

Mike Seper has designed an instant, reusable cold pack — something he sees being marketed to students like himself — and he plans to start his own company.

Until then he's putting his design up against the likes of Kristy Oshita's new hands-free cell phone attachment and Ken Hill's launch ramp for windsurfers that hurls them into the air even when surf isn't up.

Come May 8, these three University of Hawai'i student inventors will be among the finalists in the last round of the first Student Invention Competition sponsored by the Office of Technology Transfer and Economic Development.

The office manages and markets inventions and discoveries by UH faculty and researchers, and this event offers a chance for students to participate in the invention process.

The final competitive round will be held from noon to 3 p.m. at the UH-Manoa School of Architecture Auditorium. The public is invited to the free event.

"This is a great step toward stimulating the creative thought process of our students and to enhance their educational experience," said Dick Cox, associate director of technology office.

The competition encourages students to use the skills and principles they have learned to create a product that solves a problem or fills a market niche.

The first round of competition began in March and narrowed the field to half a dozen competitors who now must develop and demonstrate a prototype of their invention for the final round.

During the finals they will pitch their ideas and demonstrate their inventions to a panel of judges from UH and the business community. Judges will choose three winners based on innovation, originality, usefulness, practicality, sound design, advantages over current products, and quality of presentation and demonstration.

First prize is $500, second prize $300 and third prize $200.