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Program
Gates Invention & Innovation Program

Competition Day

Over 20 Years of Gates Innovation

2023 Dates

List of 3 items.

  • Invention Expo

    Thursday, March 9, 2023
    1-3pm


  • Finalist Presentations

    Friday, March 10, 2023

  • Awards Ceremony

    Friday, March 10, 2023

Competition Day

At the expo, students are prepared to display and discuss their hard work from start to finish.

List of 3 items.

  • Judging Process

    1. At the expo, judges speak with each inventor to evaluate the entries before selecting 10-15 finalists.
    2. The following day, finalists make individual presentations to the panel of judges using additional support material such as slide presentations to describe their invention and process in more detail.
    3. Judges sequester to determine the contest winners.
    Cash awards up to $500 are given in both the Grades 5/6 and Grades 7/8 categories.

  • Criteria

    All entries are judged on four criteria:
    • Functionality
    • Creativity
    • Marketability
    • Clarity of Communication

  • Patent Support

    In exceptional cases, judges may award a "patent nod" to a particular invention. Those projects receive additional funding for more in-depth research, design and guidance through the patent process.

2023 Competition Finalists

5th/6th Division
Plantish - Ella B. and Claire I. (1st Place)
Bio-De-Puck - Cat and Caroline M. (2nd Place)
The Free Fall - Dennis C. (3rd Place)
The N.P. Ankle Boot - Jackson T. and Luis D.
Puke Pouch - Lexi F. and Charlie F.
Safe-To Pan - Laine F. and Olivia M.
Telescoping Lacrosse Stick - Archer P.
Plus Stand - Hazel P and Korina V.

7th/8th Division
Noti-Light - Jessie H. and Sam M. (1st Place and Patent Nod)
Scoop and Salt 2.0 - Aiden F. and Will R. (2nd Place)
Screen Saver - Kaden S. (3rd Place)
Easy Seat - Bodie J.
Pulpinator - Henry C.
Smart Time - Bea W. and Sophia G.

Competition Day Judges

  • Ken Parks

    Ken Parks is currently serves as global vice president of engineering and technology for the Victaulic Corporation. He previously served as an engineering and technical consultant for Arcadia Group International and the senior vice president of engineering/research and development for the Gates Corporation. 
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  • Susan M Majka, PhD

    Susan M Majka, PhD, is a professor at National Jewish Health and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and an internationally renowned expert on lung vascular progenitor cells in health and disease. 
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  • Steven Chalmers

    Steven Chalmers is a dedicated and prolific tinkerer, and the inventor of a unique cat drinking fountain called the AquaPurr.
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  • Fabienne Gally, PhD

    Fabienne Gally, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at National Jewish Health in the Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine. Dr. Gally received her PhD in France after graduating from the National Institute of Applied Sciences in biochemical engineering. 
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  • Jake Dresden

    Jake Dresden is the Metro Denver Director for A Little Help, a Colorado-based nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of older adults by connecting them with local volunteers to provide services and companionship. 
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  • Mike Haen

    Mike Haen is the vice president of Industrial Global Product Line Management at Gates Corporation.  Mike leads the product line strategy, innovation commercialization, and financial performance for the industrial product portfolios.  
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Graland Country Day School

55 Clermont Street    |    Denver, CO 80220    |    303-399-0390
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1924, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.