Share Your Experience with Us

CLICK HERE to share your own experiences of the Rubber Band Contest for Young Inventors.

Jeanie - 5th grade teacher, Canton, OH - The Rubber Band Contest gave my students an excellent opportunity to invent, create and construct. This experience is perfect for any school promoting project based learning!

Jared - 7th grade student, Christiansburg, VA - When I first decided I would enter the Rubber Band Contest, it sounded like a lot of work. First you had to decide on an idea for a project using rubber bands, and then you had to build it within the deadline. But as I finally came up with the idea for my invention, I got excited. I felt that, even if I didn't win, it would still be fun to invent something on my own. My invention The Power Tree was a lot of fun to build and, though it was hard at times, I figured that it was all part of inventing. I entered the contest and found out that I was in the top 15. That was exciting! Then, when I made it into the top 3, it was awesome! Flying to Akron, Ohio, and the whole trip made me realize what I invented for. My work had paid off. I recommend this contest for everyone my age; it's a lot of fun and a great experience.

Nathan - 8th grade student, Middleburg Heights, OH - So, I remember the first day Mr. Zumpano told us about the Rubber Band Contest. All we were thinking is that we have a big packet with a short time. He told us that we had to find a new way to sell rubber bands. None of us could think of anything. But, after a couple of days we all got ideas. My invention was the Disher Gripper. It was used to stop cups and bowls from flipping in a dishwasher. For the first part of the packet we had to write a little essay on the entire invention. What it does, how it's made, how can it benefit other people. We also had to make the invention, take a picture of it, and draw it. After my class and I turned in the project, it took a couple of months but we heard from The University of Akron. I had completely forgotten all about the contest at the moment and said,"Hello?" A lady said," Hello, is this Nathan Gardner?" "I'm Nathan", I said. "This is the Rubber band Contest, we just wanted to let you know that you have made it into the top 15 and will be moving on to the next round." "Thank You, so much" After that day we had to make a video on the project, take pictures of us with the invention, and do another essay. It was hard work, but it was all worth it when I kept telling myself "I made it top 15 out of 300 kids." After all the hard work, we got invited to a banquet and got to see everyone's invention, there were some really cool ones. Over all the project was very fun. I had a blast.