Arctic Innovation Competition awards to be presented April 22
Morrow Duszynski
907-474-5942
April 18, 2023
Finalists from all divisions in the 2022 Arctic Innovation Competition join UAF Chancellor Dan White, (center rear in hat), College of Business and Security Management Associate Dean Mark Herrmann (second standing from right) and Usibelli Coal Mine Vice President Lisa Cassino (third standing from left).
The University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Business and Security Management will present over $45,000 in cash prizes and scholarships at the Arctic Innovation Competition award ceremony Saturday, April 22, from 1-5 p.m. at the Wedgewood Resort.
The event is open to the public and will include refreshments. Attendees can meet competitors and win door prizes from Alaska Airlines, Fly Trampoline Park, the Fairbanks Children’s Museum and more.
The competition and awards ceremony are presented by Usibelli Coal Mine. This year’s competition, now in its 14th year, included online semifinals, which were followed by the first in-person competition after the pandemic.
Competitors present new and innovative solutions, inventions and business ideas that are judged by local engineers and business experts. Entries this year included a way to fireproof your grill, an outdoor air purifier, an artificial intelligence-operated snow plow and a wild animal alert app.
The competition accepts ideas from people of all ages. Competitors are sorted into three divisions: cub (12 years old and under), junior (ages 13-17) and main (ages 18 and over). Cash awards in the main division include a $15,000 grand prize and four $2,000 specialty kicker prizes. Kicker prizes recognize the best ideas in the categories of “Arctic,” “Alaska college student,” “climate adaptation” and “sustainability.”
Robert Werner, a returning competitor who has placed several times in AIC, submitted two ideas this year, one of which made it to the semifinals.
“Arctic Innovation Competition is a wonderful, homegrown competition,” Werner said. “The diversity of ideas that is in the competition is a really interesting, broad scope. The best part is the kid part; it’s really heartwarming. The projects are so different from a lot of experiences kids have in school.”
The public can vote on favorite ideas through Fan Favorite Voting, which takes place online from Friday, April 14, at 8 a.m. through Friday, April 21, at noon. Vote in each division once per day. Division winners will receive a Chris Marok Allstate Fan Favorite Lego trophy and cash award of $100.
If you have questions about the competition, contact AIC staff at 907-474-6518 or uaf-aic@alaska.edu.
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