Four finalists, out of more than 600 entrants from 26 states, have been named in the second National Rubber Band Contest for Young Inventors, sponsored by the Akron Global Polymer Academy of The University of Akron and the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society.
The middle school-age contest participants entered inventions in Science/Engineering and Arts/Leisure divisions. Finalists and their inventions are:
- Benjamin E. Dabney of Radford, Va., ElastiBed mosquito net;
- Shelby Dodds of Washington Court House, Ohio, Hand-E-Spider Web for hand exercise and strengthening;
- Zachary Althouse, Paducah, Ky., Ping-Pong Equipment Organizer; and
- Kenneth “Tucker” Haas, Charlotte, N.C., Webands Waterbands social awareness bracelets.
The winner and runner-up for each division will be announced on Saturday, May 1, at Quaker Square Inn at The University of Akron, at an awards luncheon. The two winners each will receive a $5,000 savings bond and the two runner-up contestants will receive $2,500 savings bonds. Each finalist also will receive a trophy and a three-day trip to Akron (accompanied by a parent).
The Rubber Band Contest for Young Inventors was launched last year and Max Aifer of Arlington, Va., placed first in the competition with his “Plant Sitter” invention. For details, visit Rubber Band Contest.
Media contact: Denise Henry, 330-972-6477 or henryd@uakron.edu.