Arctic Innovation Competition finals scheduled Oct. 19
October 16, 2019
The University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Management will award over $30,000 in cash prizes Saturday, Oct. 19, after the final round of presentations in the 2019 Arctic Innovation Competition.
The competition, presented by Usibelli Coal Mine, is now in its 11th year. Competitors propose new, feasible and potentially profitable ideas for solving real-life problems and challenges.
The main division semifinal presentations begin at the Wedgewood Resort at 10 a.m., and the junior (ages 13 to 17) and cub (ages 12 and younger) division presentations will start at 1:30 p.m. The main division final four presentations will begin at 3 p.m., followed by the BP Award Ceremony and Reception at 4 p.m.
Cash awards in the main division include a $10,000 grand prize and four $2,000 specialty Kicker prizes. The prizes recognize the best ideas in the categories of "Alaska college student," "Arctic," "sustainable" and, new this year, "air quality." Competitors from the junior and cub divisions, sponsored by Kinross Fort Knox, will share almost $4,000 in cash prizes. Other event sponsors include Robinson & Ward PC, Northrim Bank, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Design Alaska and Fairbanks Economic Development Corp.
Main division finalist Chris Benshoof, a Lathrop High School engineering and math teacher, includes the competition as part of his curriculum. His idea, The Class Pass, is used in his class, and he hopes it will be adopted throughout the school. This time-saving idea is a radio frequency identification system that lets students sign themselves out of class and communicate their movements to the teacher in real-time.
“After watching my students enter AIC for four years, I thought I should lead by example,” Benshoof said. “After going through the competition myself, I’ll be better prepared to help my students in the future. It’s a really cool program.”
Other intriguing entries in the main division include Baqqloud Trees, Magnetic Plug, Aqquagga Supercritical Wastewater Treatment and Multi-Species Waterfowl Call. See the complete list of finalists.
The public is invited to attend and vote on favorite ideas. Participants can win a Chris Marok Allstate Fan Favorite Lego trophy and cash award.
All attendees will be eligible to win door prizes.
ON THE WEB: www.arcticinno.com
CONTACT: Andrea Miller, acmiller3@alaska.edu, 907-474-5942