Program
Gates Invention & Innovation Program

Competition Day

Over 25 Years of Gates Innovation

2025 Dates

List of 3 items.

  • Invention Expo

    Thursday, March 6, 2025
    1-3pm


  • Finalist Presentations

    Friday, March 7, 2025

  • Awards Ceremony

    Friday, March 7, 2025

Competition Day

At the expo, students are prepared to display and discuss their hard work from start to finish.

List of 3 items.

  • Judging Process

    1. At the expo, judges speak with each inventor to evaluate the entries before selecting 10-15 finalists.
    2. The following day, finalists make individual presentations to the panel of judges using additional support material such as slide presentations to describe their invention and process in more detail.
    3. Judges sequester to determine the contest winners.
    Cash awards up to $500 are given in both the Grades 5/6 and Grades 7/8 categories.

  • Criteria

    All entries are judged on four criteria:
    • Functionality
    • Creativity
    • Marketability
    • Clarity of Communication

  • Patent Support

    In exceptional cases, judges may award a "patent nod" to a particular invention. Those projects receive additional funding for more in-depth research, design and guidance through the patent process.

2025 Competition Finalists

5/6 Finalists
First: Switch Hitters Dream - Owen S.
Second: Scentsational Pine - Elle S.
Third: The Distraction Device - Yianni B.

Art Start - Maeve D. and Sophie H.
Sharpen Silent - Charlotte K. and Ella C.

7/8 Finalists
First: Playmaker - John H.
Second: Arthritis Helper - William H. and Jordan P.
Third: Adjust a Sling - Lexi F. and Avery B.

Stack A Pack - Jolie P. and Lauren T.
Toe-Tastic - Seeley S. and Garrett E.

Competition Day Judges

  • Ken Parks

    Ken Parks is currently serves as global vice president of engineering and technology for the Victaulic Corporation. He previously served as an engineering and technical consultant for Arcadia Group International and the senior vice president of engineering/research and development for the Gates Corporation. 
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  • Madison Rifkin ’12

    is the CEO and founder of Mount, a platform connecting travelers to unique local experiences. Her journey began with the Gates program, where she patented an innovative bike lock. Madi holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and entrepreneurial studies from Northeastern University. 
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  • Susan M. Majka, PhD

    Susan M Majka, PhD, is a professor at National Jewish Health and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and an internationally renowned expert on lung vascular progenitor cells in health and disease. 
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  • Steven Chalmers

    Steven Chalmers is a dedicated and prolific tinkerer, and the inventor of a unique cat drinking fountain called the AquaPurr.
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  • Cindy Cookson

    Cindy Cookson is a vice president of Global Product Line Management at Gates Corporation. She leads the product line strategy, innovation commercialization, and financial performance for the industrial fluid power portfolios.
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  • Fabienne Gally, PhD

    Fabienne Gally, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at National Jewish Health in the Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine. Dr. Gally received her PhD in France after graduating from the National Institute of Applied Sciences in biochemical engineering. 
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  • Jake Dresden

    Jake Dresden is the Metro Denver Director for A Little Help, a Colorado-based nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of older adults by connecting them with local volunteers to provide services and companionship.
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  • Matthew Crowley ’05

    is the lead designer for health and safety at Apple, working on projects for the Apple Watch and iPhone. His journey began with the Gates program, where he patented work gloves with embedded LEDs. Matt studied product design at Stanford and now holds over 170 patents. 
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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.