Young entrepreneurs showcase innovation at I.C.E. Challenge

Some 50 students from Rainbow Schools showcased their originality during the first ever Innovative, Creative, Entrepreneurial (I.C.E.) Challenge pilot project on Friday, January 9, 2015. The Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) hosted the event in the auditorium at the Willet Green Miller Centre.

Students were challenged to identify a common everyday problem then develop a product-based solution. Students could improve an existing product, create a brand new product, or present their ideas using visual aids.

The Best Overall Product was awarded to Marissa Lindon, a Grade 9 student of Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School. Her product “MathApplier,” an iPod/iPad application that assists in improving math skills, won her the grand prize of a $10,000 NORCAT Innovation Mill mentorship.

Other awards that were presented included:

Best Functional Prototype

Keaton Broomhead, Grade 9, Lively District Secondary School

Product: “Ice Sweeper”

Best Non-Functional Prototype

Caleb Smith, Grade 9, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

Product: “Buckle Bright”

Best Prototype by Design

Brody Beeson, Grade 12, Sudbury Secondary School

Product: “Rubber Ring Binder”

Most Innovative Product

Ian Robbie, Grade 12, Lively District Secondary School

Product: ”E-Z Knees”

Most Creative Product

Jimmy Stata, Grade 12, Espanola High School

Product: ”Able Controller”

Peers Choice Award

Courtney Schutz and Taylor Gilchrist, Grade 8, Algonquin Road Public School

Product: “Crumbs Away”

“It was such an honour to be part of the inaugural I.C.E. Challenge,” said Hailey Short, Communications Specialist with NORCAT Innovation Mill. “Witnessing the innovative potential of the Sudbury youth community was truly inspiring.”

The Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) and Northern Centre for Advanced Technology (NORCAT) Innovation Mill wish all the best to the entrepreneurs who showcased their innovative ideas at the challenge.

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Media Contact:

Leo Leclair, Specialist High Skills Major Program Coordinator

Rainbow District School Board, 705-523-3308 ext. 8203.

Melissa Lindon, a Grade 9
student at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, was the recipient of the Best
Overall Product grand prize at the inaugural Innovative, Creative,
Entrepreneurial (I.C.E.) Challenge on January 9, 2015. Congratulating Marissa
Lindon are Hailey Short, left, of the NORCAT Innovation Mill, and Shannon
Katary from the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI).