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Kootenay Contraption contest 2013 enlists Kootenay kids to solve global energy crisis

Imagination has no limits, and Kootenay kids can prove it in a new contest. Up for grabs is a new iPad Air.
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Imagine the year is 2050.  Wind and solar have proliferated as clean, green, sources of electricity.

As society has yet to teach Mother Nature to blow wind all day long, and that pesky issue of the sun only shining sometimes is fundamentally unchangeable, we need better ways of saving up the clean energy we make—so we can use it when we actually need it—which begs the question:

“By 2050, with plentiful wind and solar energy available, how will we store that energy to make it more useful?”

KAST- GLOWS (Growing, Learning Opportunities with Science) is inviting kids in Grades 2-8 from school districts 8, 10, 20 and 51 to enter the 2013 Kootenay Contraption Contest to help answer this question.

This annual contest encourages kids to let their minds open wide, be as creative and innovative as possible and design a contraption that solves this future problem.

The contraptions created don’t necessarily have to work right now, but a sketch-up and description of how it solves the problem are essential.

Contraptions may be drawn, built, videotaped, digitally built or otherwise. Just show us that you’ve come up with the next brilliant energy-friendly idea, tell us the story of how it solves the problem and why it’s the best way forward.

Creative applications of technology in submissions are encouraged—and adored.

The 2013 Kootenay Contraption Contest runs until Jan. 10. Entries will compete for the overall grand prize of an iPad Air. In addition, the best submission in each grade will win a classroom pizza party.

Entries can be submitted in a variety of ways: post it on the GLOWS Facebook page (which you can find via www.kast.com/GLOWS) and email associated name, grade and school information to info@kast.com. Or download the entry form from http://www.kast.com/kootenaycontraptioncontest2013 and either mail the completed submission to KAST at PO Box 119, Rossland, BC V0G 1Y0 or scan and e-mail it to info@kast.com.