Gates Invention & Innovation
The Charles C. Gates Invention & Innovation Competition is an academic and afternoon program offering at Cardigan made possible by the Gates Frontiers Fund.
Gates at Cardigan is designed to encourage creative thinking, risk-taking, and entrepreneurial spirit, and to develop an appreciation for hard work and accomplishment. The Charles C. Gates Invention & Innovation Competition, held annually during Spring Family Weekend, offers students the opportunity to participate in a creative process, identify needs or new business opportunities, and develop practical solutions.
Watch: The Virtue in Being a Creator
Beginning each fall and concluding with Competition Presentations in the spring, each student or student team designs and builds an invention that must perform a practical function, make life easier or safer, entertain, or solve an everyday problem.
Gates at Cardigan is just a natural fit. Boys are tinkerers, boys like to take things apart. Boys are so inquisitive, especially at this age. Our program proves the ability to take things apart, put things together, to learn from that process, to be inventive.
Gates Coach Dave Auerbach
Photo Gallery
Cardigan's sixth and seventh graders present their projects to the community at the 11th Annual Gates Invention & Innovation Competition Exposition held in 2018.
2018 Gates Competition Winners
| Category | Student | Invention |
|---|---|---|
| Best Salesman | Deegan Blasko '20 | The E-Z Case |
| Best Presentation | Gabe Brondel '20 | Solar Wind |
| First Place and Patent Nod | Finn Kopp '20 | Lax String Pro-Tec |
| Second Place | Kenny Chen '20 & Darren Chung '20 | Bombarded Bird |
| Third Place | Ben Ely '21 | Lunch Box Timer |