The Star Trek Replicator Challenge is being offered by NASA and The ASME Foundation. The launch video is a great introduction to the challenge, which invites students to “design a non-edible, food related product for astronauts to 3d print in the year 2050.” The contest opened on 2/16/16, and will close on 5/1/16. You can find rules and specific guidelines (which are a bit intimidating) on the official challenge website.
Two Other Invention Challenges
The 2016 Annual Invent It Challenge, sponsored by Spark!Lab, invites participants from 5-21 years of age to submit an idea for a solution to a real-world health problem. The deadline for submissions is 3/18/16. Click on the above link for more details.
Imagination Foundation (the wonderful organization behind Global Cardboard Challenge and many other great activities for kids) has teamed up with AT&T to offer the Inventor’s Challenge. According to their site, “we invite kids of all ages around the United States to invent a solution to a challenge faced by their school or community.” (I’m not certain if they literally mean all ages, as I couldn’t find actual age restrictions on their site.) Submissions are due by 3/11/16. Visit the site for more information and register to receive a free download of the “Playbook” with ideas and suggestions for participation.
