List of 1 items.
-
Tinker, create, innovate.
A simple motto that starts a year of discovery for inventors in the Gates Invention and Innovation Program.
Through the Gates Invention and Innovation program, motivated students in Grades 5-8 have the opportunity to invent a new product and possibly earn a U.S. patent. Funded from an endowment created by Charles C. Gates ‘34, the program has been a source of pride for Graland since 1999.
The program culminates in March at the Gates Expo, where students display and demonstrate their unique inventions. By the day's end, 10-15 finalists are chosen to make a separate presentation to the judges who evaluate inventions for functionality, creativity, marketability and clarity of communication. The products are also considered for patent viability and to date, the program has helped dozens of student inventors receive patents for their inventions.
The program culminates in March at the Gates Expo, where students display and demonstrate their unique inventions. By the day's end, 10-15 finalists are chosen to make a separate presentation to the judges who evaluate inventions for functionality, creativity, marketability and clarity of communication. The products are also considered for patent viability and to date, the program has helped dozens of student inventors receive patents for their inventions.
History of the Gates Program
Established 1999
About Charles C. Gates
List of 1 items.
-
26
students have received patents for their Gates inventions.
History Timeline
Gates Coaches
Gates coaches
act as resources to guide students in the development of their innovations or inventions. The coaches help, but they do not design or build.
Coaches:
Coaches:
-
Keep students on track with deadlines.
-
Ensure needed supplies and equipment are available.
-
Assist with budgeting.
-
Nurture and guide.
-
Conduct preliminary reviews of projects to ensure compliance with competition requirements.
List of 7 items.
-
Sean Keefe
Flex Teacher, Athletic CoachCritical thinker who seeks to support students and colleagues via empathy and concentrated problem solving. -
Jorge Chavez
Co-Director Gates Invention Program
Innovation Specialist
Brings tech skills and is the 3D printer expert. Can source materials online in a flash. -
Steve Collins
Science Teacher
Global perspective on problem-solving having lived and worked overseas in Africa as a former Peace Corps volunteer. A strong analytical yet creative thinker. -
Andrea Crane
Art Teacher
Uses creativity and marketing expertise to guide inventors in creating visually appealing presentations. -
Andy Dodge
Co-Director Gates Invention Program
Science Teacher and Science Dept. Chair
Science minded thinker who clearly sees the root of problems and challenges inventors to think of multiple solutions. -
Meggan Dodge
Math TeacherHas an uncanny ability to understand the minds of young inventors. With a mathematical background, asks questions that bring precision and detail to their thinking. -
Oscar Gonzalez
Director of Equity & Inclusivity
A lover of LEGOS and hands-on building. Guides students to walk in others' shoes and ensures inventors never lose sight of the empathic problem they're solving.
List of 7 items.
-
Elizabeth Leddy
Innovation Specialist
Offers a strong science background and innovative thinking, guiding budding inventors to use the design thinking process. Encourages failure as a means to success. -
Mitch Masters
History Teacher
The tool guy who teaches inventors how to get the results they want. Loves to deconstruct things and put them back together. -
Justin Miera
Music Teacher
Divergent thinker who opens doors to broader possibilities. Challenges inventors to imagine ideas that are outside the box. -
Dan O'Neill
Drama Teacher
A dramatically minded thinker who focuses on student confidence with presentations. Challenges inventors to go boldly with joy and poise. -
Dana Rankin
Purchasing Manager
Teaches sewing machine skills and runs other power tools. Uses her purchasing know-how to ensure needed supplies are on hand for inventors. -
Ashleigh Stepanian
Lead LibrarianBrings an eye for detail and an empathetic, positive approach. A skilled researcher and writer who helps inventors articulate their ideas. -
Martin Twarogowski
Director of Innovative Learning
Gives tech minded help with all things digital, including the 3D rendering tools and app development.
Gates Program in the News
-
Grades 7 and 8: Gates Invention & Innovation Expo
We hope everyone got a chance to check out the fantastic projects featured at the 2023 Gates Invention and Innovation Expo on Thursday, March 9. Several students who participated in the Expo were excited to share their thoughts on the experience and what they learned.Read More -
Congratulations Inventors: Gates Invention & Innovation Expo 2022
Read MoreThis year, the Gates Invention & Innovation Expo took place in person on Thursday, March 3, and Friday, March 4. For more than 20 years, this special culminating event has served as an opportunity for Graland Middle School students to display and demonstrate unique inventions that seek to not only solve a problem but improve the world around them. Through this process, students are not only given the opportunity to be creative, but also learn important life skills such as empathy, collaboration, and perseverance. They are also given a chance to receive a patent nod from judges on competition day, which would provide the additional funding, research, and guidance necessary for students to trademark their inventions and share them with the broader community. -
Young Inventors Win Innovation Competition
Competing against more than 140 of their peers, several students at Graland Country Day School took home cash prizes for their winning inventions in the Gates Invention and Innovation Competition, now in its 20th year. The students were selected by an independent panel of judges – all respected professionals in the Denver community.Read More -
Gates 2018-19 is a Wrap!
One hundred thirty-four inventors in the Gates Invention and Innovation Program took the spotlight at the annual expo where they shared highs and lows from their invention journeys this year. Finally, the moment arrived to give out the top prizes at this afternoon's all-school assembly.Read More -
Designs of the Heart
Read MoreAll children are natural inventors, but empathy is a learned trait. This has become a core belief of the Gates Invention and Innovation Program at Graland.For the past 18 years the Gates program has sparked the kind of learning that ignites young minds by providing students with an authentic opportunity to solve real world problems with an original working invention of their own design. -
Gates Program Inspires School-Wide Learning
Read MoreIn 2011, General Electric conducted a study on the role of innovation in global business by interviewing over 1,000 executives across 12 countries. For those familiar with Graland’s Gates Invention and Innovation Program, their survey results should not be surprising... -
Inventions Rise to New Levels of Innovation in Upgraded Lab
When the new Gates Innovation Lab opened in October, Middle School inventors got right to work exploring the space and getting acquainted with the new tools and other equipment. For students in this year’s Gates Invention and Innovation Competition, their hard work paid off at the March expo.Read More -
Graland Published in Denver Post - Your Hub
Click to read the article Graland Country Day School Opens Innovative 21st Century Learning Environment Dedicated to Preparing Students for Rapidly Changing Technology and Careers published in the Denver Post - Your Hub.Read More -
Graland published in Denver Business Journal
Click here to read the article A look at a Denver private school's new $13M innovation center, published in The Denver Buisness JournalRead More -
Graland Alumni Featured on Shark Tank
Read MoreWatch ABC’s Shark Tank on April 22!Denver, CO - Sloppy, melting ice cream cones were the inspiration for two boys who invented a cone accessory that keeps hands clean and spares wasted napkins.What started as a school project at Graland for 10-year-olds Oliver Greenwald and Sam Nassif has led them to a spot on the popular ABC television show, Shark Tank, where they secured the coveted “home package.” Producers from the show came to Denver to film the students’ back story in January and they will be featured throughout the program. -
Gates and Design Thinking: Graland at its Finest
In an informal exit poll, visitors to the 16th annual Gates Invention Expo thought the students were the most impressive part of the event, although their surprise at the diversity of invention ideas was a close second.Read More -
Invention Program Conjoins Discovery and Innovation
The 15th annual Gates Invention Competition is in the books, and once again we were wildly impressed with the creativity our inventors displayed.Read More -
The Gates Revolution
This year’s National Association of Independent Schools conference, entitled “Design the Revolution,” focused on fostering innovation. I was particularly fascinated by two speakers, John Maeda, former President of the Rhode Island School of Design, and Neri Oxman, Professor of Media Arts and Sciences at MIT.Read More -
Gates Inventors Learn from Special Guests
Middle School inventors in the Gates program are working to fine-tune their visual presentations thanks to two special guests brought into the classroom by art teacher and Gates coach Andrea Crane.Read More -
Gates Inventor Sells Award-winning Product
When Nick Bain ‘12 entered the Gates Invention Competition four years ago as a seventh grader, he had no idea how the program would change his adolescence, and maybe change his life.Read More -
Budding Inventors Thrive at Graland
Read MoreThe aisles were crowded as adults of every age and children of every size made their way through the Fieldhouse at Graland Country Day School on March 7. They were there to see Middle School students describe their inventions and innovative ideas during the annual Gates Invention and Innovation Expo. -
Gates Inventors in the Denver Post
Read MoreHeadline: Student inventors learn failure often brings success. Click to read the story! -
2012 Inventors Appear on 9News
On Friday, June 1, 2012, three Graland students appeared on 9News to show off their inventions from this year's Gates Invention and Innovation Competition. Click to view the video.Read More -
2012 Gates Invention Winners Announced
In the grades 5/6 category, Sam Cohen was awarded the $500 first place for his invention called Light Sense. He was also given a provisional patent nod for the product, which is designed to remedy inefficient lighting.Read More -
Graland Inventors Reflect on Gates Experience
Step into the Gates Invention Lab on a spring afternoon, and you just might catch a glimpse of the next big invention! Each year, Graland’s young inventors eagerly anticipate the opportunity to participate in the Gates Invention and Innovation Program.Read More
1/20
Videos
Radio
-
-
Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
Winning inventors featured on KOA850 news talk radio (March 2018)
-
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
