Designs fell into one of three categories: High School, University, and Art and Architecture. The three first place category winners are to receive $2,500. The remaining finalists will each receive $1,000 scholarships. In addition, each instructor of a first-place winning student is to receive a laptop computer for use in the classroom. New this year, the “Green Bonus” award recognizes a student whose design best displays innovation in areas such as energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. The Green Bonus winner receives a $250 gift card.
Winners:
High School
Maxwell Krist, Eckstein Middle School, Seattle, Wash.
The goal of his design, “Electricity Usage Meter,” is to create a monitoring device that displays the amount of electricity a household electrical appliance uses. The device is solar powered and has two functions. The first function displays the amount of electricity an appliance uses in kilowatt-hours, while the second function records how many kilowatts the appliance has used over a 24-hour period.
University
Dale Herzog, Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester, Mass.
The goal of his design, “Robo-Prosthetic Development Platform,” is to create an adaptable platform to aid in the development of prosthetic systems for the human hand. The 3D assembly snaps together forming smoothly sliding joints capable of handling every day objects. Intended to perform as a completely flexible test bed, the hand is capable of utilizing custom circuit boards and sensors integrated directly into each of the individual phalanges as well as the swapping of entire finger assemblies through standard mounting points.
Art and Architecture
Trevor Clarke, Fullerton College, Fullerton, Cal.
The goal of his design, “Roy,” is to create an improved, human-like, character for use in stop-motion film. Traditional stop-motion films have used characters made from clay or other moldable materials. Roy is made of ABS plastic and can be quickly articulated to mimic the motions of a human being.
Green Bonus
Benjamin McCombs and Jonathan Hoekstra, Caledonia H.S., Caledonia, Mich.
The goal of the design, "Highway Wind Turbine" is to create a wind turbine system that captures wind energy from moving vehicles. Paddles are mounted above lanes of traffic and the wind from passing cars and trucks spin the paddles, transferring the energy to streetlights and power plants.