JPL Annual Invention Challenge - 2018

Under overcast skies on a wonderful day in December the 20th Anniversary of the JPL Invention Challenge was held on December 14th.

A crowd of around 400 people were able to watch the event and admire all of the wonderful entries into this year’s challenging contest. The official results are attached. Please look for photos on this site soon.

I wish to thank everyone who entered and participated in this year’s contest. A special recognition goes out to the three teams from Ethiopia and the team from Guam that flew all the way around the world to compete in this contest. The Upright Pipe Contest proved to be a challenge. Of the 83 student teams that signed up, only 57 participated in the regional contest. Of those 57 teams only 19 actually completed the task and received a time. That shows how difficult the challenge was. Similar results were found for the JPL teams.

I also wish to thank all of the volunteers that put on the show. Without their help, the event would not have been possible. A special thanks goes out to Kim Lievense and her Public Services team, headed by Kim Johansen, for collecting the entry forms and video release forms and processing more than 300 student badges for all of the student teams. I also wish to acknowledge the talented work performed by Robert Denise for being the master of ceremonies during the contest.

As always I look forward to the contest for next year.

4800 Oak Grove Drive
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Mail Stop 126-347
Located in Building 126-336
Pasadena, CA 91109

Paul MacNeal
paul.d.macneal@jpl.nasa.gov
Phone: (818) 354-7824