CARSON CITY, Nev. – The names of the top ten finishers in the Calculated Industries/ SkillsUSA “Invented in the USA” scholarship competition have been announced. The scholarship, offered for the first time last fall, was open to secondary, post-secondary and career and technical school students who are members of SkillsUSA. Entries came from students aged 15 to 34. Inventions ranged from a Conduit Calc to an MP3 calculator.

Student inventors participating in the “Invented in the USA” scholarship competition were asked to submit designs for a new SkillsUSA-trade-related calculator; measuring, leveling or sensing device; or any other electronic or electromechanical device that would be useful to the trades represented by SkillsUSA.

Calculated Industries, a SkillsUSA National Sponsor, awarded $1,000, $500 and $250 scholarships to the three top-rated ideas. $100 gift certificates at www.calculated.com were given to places four through ten.

“We created the scholarship competition for several reasons,” said Jeff Spector, education account manager for Calculated Industries. “We want to increase our commitment to SkillsUSA and vocational and technical trade education and this seemed like a logical, fun, and interesting way to increase that commitment. We were very impressed with the thought and creativity that the students put into their inventions.”

Founded in 1978, Calculated Industries is the country’s leading manufacturer of specialty calculators and measuring devices. CI has developed tools for construction, architecture, real estate and lending, education, engineering, interior and facilities design, payroll accounting, home projects, cooking and quilting.

Winners Fall 2007 Invented In the USA Scholarship Competition

Gold – $1,000 – Mike Degner—Laser Surveying Digi Camera 7200
Waubosonie Valley High School, Aurora IL
SkillsUSA Advisor—Steve Skorup
Silver – $500 – Justin Yost—Conduit Calc
Northeast Technology Center, Afton OK
SkillsUSA Advisor—Dan Ipock
Bronze – $250 – Nathan Oliveira—Digital Drafting Compass
Greater New Bedford Regional VocTech High School
New Bedford, MA 
SkillsUSA Advisor—Paul Sylvia
            
Honorable Mentions--$100 Gift Certificates at www.calculated.com

Tynette Colmon—Chemistry Constant Calc
Badger Technical Center, Oak Hall, Va.
SkillsUSA Advisor—Dan Butler
Matthew Hannum—I-Rule
Bowsher High School, Toledo, Ohio
SkillsUSA Advisor—Gerard Michael
Isiah Johnson—Uno Button Ball
Bowsher High School, Toledo, Ohio
SkillsUSA Advisor—Gerard Michael
Marcus Kunz—Ruler Reader
Bowsher High School, Toledo, Ohio
SkillsUSA Advisor—Gerard Michael
Dennis Lewis, Jr.—Spectra 3000
Center of Applied Technology North, Severn, Md.
SkillsUSA Advisor—Michele McCarty
Patrick Sluss—Sense Right Battery Sensor
Jackson High School, Louisville, Ohio
SkillsUSA Advisor—Brian Richardson
Gabor Szell IV—Hip Finder
Orleans Niagra BOCES, Medina N.Y.
SkillsUSA Advisor—Jacob Daniels