Permission Form – Required
Official Entry Form – Required
In honor of National Inventors Month in August, Inventors Digest magazine and partners are sponsoring the 2059 Essay Contest for middle school and high school students.
Your assignment: What will the world look like in 2059?
In 1959, the internal pacemaker, the microchip, the Barbie doll and pantyhose were invented. Each was significant in its own right. But that was so 50 years ago.
Show us in 500 words or less what technology, tool, product or service will shape our lives in 2059 and why. The Grand Prize includes:
-A laptop computer
-Your essay published in Inventors Digest
-A year’s subscription to the magazine
-Possible appearance on the Emmy Award-winning PBS series Everyday Edisons
-A killer T-shirt
-Brain-teaser games
Eligibility: All middle school and high school students ages 12-17 in the United States. Grand prizes will be awarded for best middle school and high school entries. North Carolina and South Carolina entrants also are eligible for the regional Grand Prize, an iPod, courtesy of charlotteobserver.com
Entry rules: Download official entry and all permission forms below. All essays must be original work of the student. Only 1 (ONE) entry per student. Submit essays and forms to Inventors Digest, [email protected] with Essay Contest in the subject line or mail to Inventors Digest, Essay Contest, 520 Elliot St., Ste. 200, Charlotte, NC 28202 or fax to 704.333.5115. Include your birth date, school, address and phone number.
Criteria: Entries will be judged on clarity and vision of how we will use new technology or products in the year 2059. Winning essays will demonstrate imagination rooted in science and engineering principles. In other words, the best essays will show what’s possible as well as practical.
Deadlines: Submit essays by Sept. 30, 2009. All entries must be postmarked by Sept. 30, 2009.
Winners will be notified on or by Nov. 26, 2009.
Contact us at [email protected] or call 704.369.7312 ext. 219 for more information.
.
.
.
A waste collector in the form of a mini robot in our bodies will imcrease our lifespan. We will be thankfull in spending much time in building up the new religion.
Nathanael.
Before I begin writing…does the “Technology” have to be electronic? (robotic/industrial/computers/etc.)
Chris Speciale
what kind of laptop is it
The technology does not have to be electronic.
What kind of laptop is it?
A new one.
A brand new free laptop. … not a Mac, if that’s what you’re getting at.
Ooh! its me again! (sorry).
can it be co-authored? I know thats probrably a stupid question to ask but can it?
According to the rules, each essay must be the work of a student … a singular student. Essays can’t be co-authored.
school starts August 26…
how about an end of September deadline
Don’t you have the technology for electronic submission??
can i use somthing that i heard from a friend about what the world will be like
Sure, but it might be appropriate to give the person some credit.
Will you be marked off if your essay is less than the maximum word count?
Don’t go over the word count and you won’t have to worry about it.
This sounds great. I’m so already writing the essay!
Thanks Mr. Drummond!
Ahhh, I’m totally psyched to enter this. But… I have a month. O.o It’s doable.
Totally doable.
I have two different ideas. Since I am not able to submit more than one essay, may I combine my ideas into one essay?
Hannah
Yes, you can combine them in one essay.
Can this invention make use of today’s technology or does it rather have to use use tech that is expected to be of use in 2059?
As long as you make a compelling case that the tech, tool, product or service in question will shape our lives in 2059, you can write about almost anything you want.
I am 11 years old for 1 more week can I enter or do I have to wait one more week
You can enter. Again, go for it!
Currently I am 17 years old but I will soon turn 18, a few weeks before the Sept. 30 deadline will I still be eligible to apply?
Yup. Go for it!
No, you’re too old. Besides, it’s rude to yell. Take your finger off the caps lock.
Its me again (sorry)
My essay is two different fonts because i changed the font on the year 2059 can i keep it or should i change it before submitting my essay?
I’m going to let you make that executive decision. Go with what you believe would best improve your chances of winning.
do we mail our essay and forms in the mail.. or how does it work?
You can e-mail them or send them snail mail.
Alright, so i have Microsoft 2000 and can’t download the 2003 viewer to see the documents…. what can I do?
It should open in any version of Word older than 1997. If you’re having problems, e-mail me directly at [email protected]
Hi, I would like to apply, but I just had turned 18 in August and a senior in highschoool, would i still be allowed to enter?
If you were 17 at the start of August, 2009, then you are eligible.
Hey – does the essay revolve around a specific technology, or can it be a general overview?
I would suggest going with a specific product, tool, technology or service.
I can’t open the permission and entry forms.
You’ll have to get to a computer that is Word compatible.
Yes, you’re still eligible.
I turn 18 two days before the deadline. Can I still enter if I postmark it before then?
Yes. As long as you’re between 12-17 before the Sept. 30, you’re eligible.
Is the laptop an HP? I saw the HP logo on the ad and was just wondering.
We haven’t selected the laptop(s) yet.
I know that the deadline has already passed because I already turned in my essay via email, but I do have some questions; Do you happen to know when Inventors Digest will choose a winner? If so, what will be your first way of contacting the winner? If you don’t win will you find out or will we have to continusly check to see if you win or lose. Thank you for your time.
We will notify the winners by Oct. 28, 2009. We will post an announcement on the site by that date. Due to the large number of entries, we are unable send personal notifications.
Did the people who sent their essays received back a mail saying we’ve received your essays? or nothing?
Due to the volume of entries we received, we’re unable to personally respond to each entrant confirming receipt.
too wonderful
Where and when will we find out who won?
We will post the winners this week. Please stay tuned.
why havent they ben posted yet. will we see who won first second and third and who won honerall mention. Will you have another contest
Because I haven’t gotten around to posting them yet.
I’m doing that now.
have the winners been posted already? if so, where?
We’ve named the winners and posted them on the site, the top of the home page, as a matter of fact.
We’ll be posting their essays today.
Hey is this an annually contest? Will there be another one in August, 2010?
We hold an annual contest. This year it’s focused on U.S. college students. We’re looking for the best alt-energy invention. The announcement’s on our site.