TORONTO, Feb. 17, 2016 /CNW/ - Launching today, The Next Einstein competition invites contestants to tap into their inner Einstein by submitting their Genius Idea for improving our world. Participants vie for a $10,000 prize and the $5,000 Einstein Legacy student scholarship.
Marin R. Schultz, winner of 2014 Next Einstein with his prosthetic arm.Photo credit: CNW Group/Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University of JerusalemA judging panel led by Prof. Roger Kornberg, Nobel Laureate, as well as distinguished Hebrew University scholars, scientists and North American entrepreneurs and philanthropic leaders will review submissions. The panel will draw up a shortlist of three finalists with the general public voting for the winner. The contest closes March 16; public voting will run April 8 -13, and the winner announced April 18. Ideas are submitted online, vetted and published before shortlisting.
"We want The Next Einstein competition to reframe the conversation about invention, innovation and problem-solving for our world," said Rami Kleinmann, President and CEO of Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University. "A Genius Idea that has the potential to change the world for the better can come from anyone at any age. I'm excited to see what challenges this year's entrants will be solving."
The categories for submissions are: medical biotech, education, health and wellness, technology, arts and culture, environment, science and aerospace, and political/economic sustainability. The contest is open to anyone over the age of 13.
Along with 11 expert judges the panel includes Leerom Segal, CEO and co-founder of Klick Inc. and Tori Avey, food history blogger and PBS columnist.
The most recent grand prizewinner, 13-year-old Marin Schultz from Lethbridge, Alberta, created an inexpensive 3D-printed prosthetic hand. The winner of the inaugural contest, 70-year-old Charles Rose of London, Ontario, developed a method to genetically modify dragonflies to reduce the harmful effects of atmospheric CO2.
