21st ANNUAL SAN DIEGO COUNTY INVENTORS SHOWCASE INFORMATION 2006 - 2007
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http://ljhs.sdcs.k12.ca.us/departments/science

WHO: All students in grades K through 12 in San Diego County
Key Points: Teachers of grades K – 6 may enter TWO projects per participating classroom. Two projects per student may be entered if ONE of the projects is specifically designed to catch mice. The registration fee is $15.00 per project. All registrations must be mailed in, WITH both a print out and on a disk (CD or floppy) in MS Excel format
WHAT: To Showcase and Recognize Outstanding Innovation
All participants receive certificates of recognition and T-shirts
Student Awards for the most outstanding projects at each grade level

Student Awards for special categories:
. Most Creative – creative /unusual to solve a problem
. Rube Goldberg – most complicated to solve a simple problem
. Best Use of Simple Materials – simple materials used creatively
. Physically Challenged – solves/reduces a problem of the disabled
. Best Pest control – a non-harmful pest (non-mouse) control device
. Best Mouse Trap – a non-harmful live capture then release mouse trap
. Environmental Impact – reduces/solves an environmental concern
. Best Electrical Use – uses electricity or circuitry to solve a problem
. Best Visual Display – the display which readily and easily conveys information in an attractive manner
. Most Marketable – most likely to be marketed or purchased

WHEN & WHERE: Exhibits will be displayed at the Scottish Rite Center in Mission Valley. Open to the public THURSDAY ONLY, May 17, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Corinthian Room. The Awards Ceremony will be held Thursday, May 17, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. also at the Scottish Rite Center. All Registered Projects MUST be set up Wednesday, May 16 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Judging starts at 6:30. No Late Entries Will Be Accepted. Inventions must be picked up no later than 6:00 p.m. (the start of the Awards Ceremony) on May 17, 2007. No supervision of projects will be done after the start of the awards ceremony. Remaining projects will be disposed of after 7:30 p.m. May 17, as there is no room for storage of unclaimed projects.

PROJECT GUIDELINES:
The invention should be an original object or system. It may also be an improvement on an already existing item (an innovation). A model (preferably working) must accompany the project. No sharp objects (razors, knives and so on) are permitted. No flammable or explosive items or chemicals are permitted. No group projects are allowed. Two projects per student is permitted if one of the projects is specifically designed to catch mice.
A drawing and a written explanation (legible please) mounted to a freestanding display board constructed of light weight, durable materials with any small parts secured to the display must accompany the invention. Teachers or parents may assist grades K through 3 students in physically writing, but the content and illustrations must be done by the student. Limited Adult ASSISTANCE in the creation of the display or model is permitted, but the student should do the majority of construction or assembly. The student's name, grade level, and school must be written on the back of the display. The confirmation notice must be attached to the upper left hand corner on the back of the display board (facing away from the display portion of the project).

The minimum written explanation should include the following:
Name of the Invention, What it Does, What Problem It Attempts to Solve, How It Works, What Materials are Used in the Construction, and the Marketing / Advertising Research. Journals are encouraged but not required. All prior judging marks, awards, stickers, certificates must be removed before the project may be set up.
A representational scale model must accompany the display and clearly represent the proposed invention. LIMITED Adult ASSISTANCE in the creation of the display or model is permitted, but the student should do the majority of construction or assembly. NO ELECTRICAL OUTLETS ARE AVAILABLE, but battery-powered projects are permitted and encouraged. A model (preferably working) must accompany the project. No sharp objects (razors, knives and so on) are permitted. No flammable or explosive items or chemicals are permitted.
Inventors Showcase is NOT responsible for lost, missing or damaged items. Unsafe models or items (i.e. knives, razors, guns, high voltage sources, dangerous chemicals) will be rejected during check in.

Entry Size and Requirements: Read and follow or be penalized. Display Area:
Maximum Base Size 75 by 75 cm (30 x 30 inches), maximum height is 100 cm (39 inches), with a maximum mass of 35 kg (77 pounds). Any display exceeding these limits may be rejected at setup / check in.

Inventors Showcase Scoring Sheet Judging Criteria
40 Points for ORIGINALITY
Original, creative thought
Novel or unique solution to an identified problem
Invention originated from the student
Presentation reflects creative or original work.
20 Points for USEFULNESS
Practicality
Use of available materials and resources to control costs.
40 Points for the WRITTEN DESCRIPTION
Knowledgeable and enthusiastic about invention
Complete and appropriate for the inventor’s grade level
Includes the name of the invention, its function, operation, applications and a list of materials used for construction
Market research done to ensure invention does not already exist
30 Points for the DISPLAY / MODEL
Display and Invention Model is carefully designed (illustration and model)
Display clearly represents the invention: legible, accurate, and labeled
Model works or represents an actual device and reflects age level of the student
Projects exceeding the size limit will NOT BE allowed entry into the County Level of competition.