Tag: Contests
Oct
01
Video Contest: I Am What I Learn
Win $1,000 from the US Department of Education for a video telling the world why education is important to your future. What an impact it would make if a homeschooled student won! There’s that part of me that doubts the political possibility of this, but you never know – and we can never stop trying.
There are three winners of the $1,000, and it might be you! Deadline is November 2nd. Find the details at http://www.ed.gov/iamwhatilearn
Need video editing software? Here’s a link to a run down of the best free options: http://desktopvideo.about.com/od/editingsoftware/a/freevidedit.htm
Sep
29
Think Big TV Series Is Looking For Young Inventors!
Hurry, deadline is September 30! Think Big TV series is still looking for young inventors between the ages of 8-16 that have achieved some level of success with their invention to cast on their show. It doesn’t need to be a big success, simply recognized by your school or some agency as having some potential. Read all the details here:
http://bkfk.com/Modules/Corporate/castingcall.aspx
Watch a video clip from ‘Think Big’ here from SchoolTube:
Sep
15
Do You Have a Great Idea or Invention?
I mentioned in the last newsletter that InventNow.org is a great place for kids to learn how an invention becomes a real product, and to see what other kids their age are doing. They do ask that your child register with Invent Now, but are sensitive to the laws that protect children online. It’s an excellent website for kids to learn how products are developed and to help develop their own idea.
Another place to learn about the process of inventing – for all ages – is Edison Nation, a website that helps idea people turn their ideas into products through Live Product Searches and a powerful database of everything an inventor might need. One interesting feature they offer is called their “Live Product Search” and is open to Edison Nation members. My understanding of membership (I am not a member) is that you can register for free with your personal info (no CC ) but if you want a “Gold Membership” (you knew that was coming), you can pay a fee for certain priviledges. One of those priviledges is a reduced fee of $20 over their normal $25 Live Product Search entry fee. I understand why they need to charge that, besides the obvious. This will weed out all the nonsense entries for one, but really do offer a genuine opportunity to present your invention to credible companies. If your product is chosen, you receive a $2500 advance, plus a 20 year guarantee of royalties for your product.You don’t have to have your product fully developed or patented, they’ll do that for you.
You do take a chance, of course, if you have the next great invention like Write-out or Post-its, of not receiving your just reward. However, it’s better than waiting around with your idea hidden in your computer and someday seeing it on the shelves as a top seller. (guilty) It’s painful to see an idea make it that you had years before and were told you should submit to someone, but didn’t because you weren’t sure where to start. Take action on your ideas!
You can also watch episodes of Everyday Edisons online, or find local listings of current episodes. The education tab has a list of different places to find resources to learn more about becoming a paid inventor.
Here’s a list of current Live Product Searches that you could submit your ideas for today. Hurry, some of the deadlines are in a few days.
Amazon Green seeks home innovations that save time, money or energy. With a genuine focus on saving customers
both time and money while helping protect the environment, Amazon recently launched Amazon Green. Deadline: Monday, September 16th, 2009
Carolina Pad , a leading supplier of fashion school, office and organizational products, is one of the fastest-growing stationery companies in the world is looking for innovative school, office and organizational supply products. Their slogan: “Everyday Products. Extraordinary design.”
Deadline: Monday, Sept 16th 2009
BestSweet is now turning to Edison Nation members to create this leading ice cream brand’s next hit candy item that will appeal to the lucrative ‘tween consumer (ages 8-13). For this Live Product Search, BestSweet wants you to think outside the box of established candy varieties, such as Junior Mints® or Milk Duds®, and go beyond the M&Ms® pouch of candy-coated chocolates. Deadline: September 21st, 2009.
O Cedar, the first company to produce an oil-treated dust mop, to market the squeeze-action sponge mop, and to introduce the angle broom is looking for their next innovative product. Deadline: September 28, 2009
Bed Bath & Beyond is seeking innovations for their new pet care brand, PawsLife, that appeal to both the pet parent and pet, making life easier when it’s time to travel; get a bath; go to sleep; and be groomed. Deadline: Nov. 2, 2009
Bed, Bath & Beyond is ALSO looking for a solution based product ideas that will help students conquer the challenges of dorm room living: space, organization, storage, cleaning, lighting, comfort and decorating. Deadline: September 30th, 2009
Has anyone out there ever submitted an invention?
We did a story on Tangela Walker-Craft that invented the “Go-Pillow” and took it from idea to market. We also wrote about another homeschool mom that invented the Redema portable footrest and went through the entire process from scratch.
See the Redema portable footrest >>
Let us know about your experiences with an invention you’ve had! We’d be happy to publish your story.
May
27
Let Your Kid’s Ideas Win Them Money for College!
When I was a kid I was always coming up with little inventions or at least ideas for inventions, but that’s all they ever were….ideas. Here’s a website that is done by BKFK-which stands for “by kids, for kids” that helps kids develop the ideas they have into real stuff….and money! There is always at least one competition going of some sort at BKFK and usually comes with a nice cash prize!
Currently, there are 4 competitions going:
-Advertise Your Cause-where you create an advertising or media campaign to let everyone know about a social cause you are passionate about and it could be worth $10,000! Deadline is August 31st.
-Trash to Treasure Competition-Can you turn everyday materials (trash) into something useful? If you are an ‘out of the box’ thinker, you will love this one! Sponsored by television’s Design Squad and Intel, the winners get $10,000, a Dell Laptop and a trip to Boston! Deadline: June 30th.
-MYOB (mind your own business) Entrepreneurial Challenge- Sponsored by Cosmo-Girl, they want to know your dream business project and if you can write a good business plan for your product or service biz, they will help you get it off the ground! Sorry, boys, this is for girls only. Deadline is June 30th.
-AtoZ Animal Challenge-From toys for pets to ways to help an endangered species, they want to know your idea to help endangered animals. Sponsored by The Weather Channel, this one is worth $10,000 and the deadline is August 31st.
Be sure to let us know if you win something!
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