posted 04-23-2015 02:21 PM               

Disney Create Tomorrowland - XPRIZE Challenge

Nationwide Challenge Asks 8 to 17-Year-Olds to Imagine World-Changing Technology of the Future

Inspired by the upcoming Disney movie "Tomorrowland," The Walt Disney Studios, Disney Citizenship, and XPRIZE announce a nationwide challenge for young innovators.

Beginning April 22, 2015, Disney's Create Tomorrowland – XPRIZE Challenge invites kids to imagine themselves in the future and report back to the present through video, imagery or stories about one new and amazing invention or innovation they encounter, how it works, and the impact it has on the future.

In June, six winners will have a once–in-a-lifetime mentorship experience with a leader in their area of interest. In addition, each winner will receive a $3,000 check, a 3D Printer from 3D Systems, and registration for FIRST® LEGO® League for the competition season 2015-2016 in the U.S.

"'Tomorrowland' has always been a place of possibility in our parks and for the creative team behind our new film," said Sean Bailey, President, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production. "The future will be steered by the imaginations of our young people, and Disney is thrilled to work with XPRIZE to encourage and inspire the next generation of thinkers and dreamers to build the future they imagine is possible."

"We are excited to launch the Create Tomorrowland XPRIZE Challenge, which gives young people a platform to voice and depict their creative, bold and imaginative problem-solving inventions of the future," said Trish Halamandaris, Senior Vice President Marketing & Communications at XPRIZE. "At XPRIZE we believe that solutions to the problems facing humanity can come from anyone, anywhere and one of these young innovators just might come up with an idea that can truly turn Tomorrowland into reality."

Participants will compete in two divisions: Junior Division (8-12 years old), and Senior Division (13–17 years old). All entrants must have prior consent from their parent or legal guardian in order to participate in the challenge. Official Rules and details about the Challenge are available here. Official registration and submission period starts April 22, 2015, and runs through May 17, 2015.

Submissions will be judged on innovation, creativity and presentation. XPRIZE will provide a panel of judges who will evaluate and score all submissions, and six (6) winners will be chosen.

Supporting XPRIZE Partners include FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), 3D Systems and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

posted 05-21-2015 04:59 PM               

Disney and XPRIZE Select Winning Innovators of Tomorrow

Six Young People Win Nationwide Challenge to Imagine World-Changing Technology of the Future

The Walt Disney Studios and Disney Citizenship, in collaboration with XPRIZE, today announced the winners of the Disney Create Tomorrowland XPRIZE Challenge. Kids between the ages of 8 and 17 were asked to imagine themselves in the future and report back about one new technology that is positively affecting humanity.

A panel of XPRIZE judges reviewed submissions and selected six winners, three from the Junior Division (8-12 years old) and three from the Senior Division (13-17 years old). Challenge submissions were scored based on originality, creativity and presentation. The winners and their ideas are as follows:

• Gabrielle Nafie, age 9, of New York, New York, envisioned a robotic origami bee called a bee origamibot. These tiny robots are activated by sunlight, function like real bees by pollinating plants vital to our survival and offset the global decline of the actual insect.

• Maxwell Fung, age 11, of North Syracuse, New York, imagined a world with no pain thanks to the invention of the pain-blocking nanobot. These teeny metal bots are administered orally prior to surgery to inhibit nerve endings from transferring chemicals that induce pain. The nanobots are removed through the kidneys, result in little to no side effects and are non-addictive.

• Jason Jackrel, age 12, of North Bellmore, New York, invented the hydrogen-powered scooter, the preferred transportation of the future. By utilizing hydrogen, which emits water, instead of fossil fuels, the hydrogen-powered scooter eliminates C02 emissions.

• Clarissa Katko, age 15, of Dansville, Michigan, developed a cure for cancer through genetic therapy. By harnessing the genetic makeup of mole rats, whose genes have a high resistance to runway cell growth, humanity will be able to eradicate cancer and extend life expectancy.

• Adrianne Camero, age 15, of Miami, Florida, devised the Magnēs Lithos Chair, a more efficient and adaptable alternative to the wheelchair. The Magnēs Lithos Chair utilizes the Earth's electromagnetic field to levitate and is maneuvered by the user's mind.

• Natalie Cummings, age 16, of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, tapped into the science of Mother Nature to create artificial trees with leaves that cleanse the air of C02 at exponential rates while also capturing solar energy to power neighboring homes.

"We are thrilled to be able to recognize the talents and imagination of these extraordinary young people," said Sean Bailey, President, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production. "The submissions showed an incredible and imaginative vision of the future, and through them, they have brought to life the same spirit and optimism that inspired us to make the film 'Tomorrowland.'"

"The inventiveness and dexterity showcased in the submissions we received solidify that innovation can originate from anyone if given the opportunity," said Trish Halamandaris, senior vice president marketing & communications at XPRIZE. "The Create Tomorrowland XPRIZE Challenge tasked young innovators to imagine the future and the outcome was a bright, healthy and creative tomorrow."

Beginning in June, the six winners will have a once–in-a-lifetime mentorship experience with a leader in their area of interest. In addition, each winner will receive a $3,000 check, a 3D Printer from 3D Systems, an annual subscription to Tales2Go and registration for FIRST LEGO League for the competition season 2015-2016 in the U.S.

Supporting XPRIZE Partners include FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), 3D Systems, IMAX Corporation, Tales2Go® and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.