Tampa, FL (March 27, 2009) – Ten young innovators pitched their new inventions to judges at MOSI last week before television cameras, reporters and family for the 1st Annual Innovation Express Contest. One of those inventors will go home Saturday with a $1,000 cash prize. The grand prize will be awarded at Learning Express, an educational toy store in Westchase throwing a day long “Spring Fest” for inventive children and parents. Activities begin at 11:00 AM and culminate with the invention award ceremony at 2:00 PM.
Tampa Bay schoolchildren ages 6-12 submitted one hundred new inventions seeking the top prize. Each participant received a free pass to MOSI and finalists received one-year memberships. In addition to the $1,000 top prize, an additional $500 will be donated to the winner’s school. Finalist inventions included a new insulin pump for diabetics, edible taco tape, a bubble-filling FCAT pencil and an interchangeable shoe design. Dr. Judith Lombana, Vice President of Research, Grants and Government Relations for MOSI was on hand to judge the 10 finalist entries.
The contest was conceived by 10-year-old inventor Anna Hopen who will hand out the grand prize check and trophies. Her father, patent attorney Anton Hopen thanked MOSI for its support. “Our collaboration has been an unqualified success – no other institution melds the confluence of science and youthful curiosity like MOSI.”
The creator of the contest, Anna Hopen (age 10), the top 10 finalists, and their parents will be at Learning Express on March 28th (Race Track Road and Country Way Blvd).
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