Innovation Park at Queen's University announced June 27 that a student of Napanee District Secondary School has won the innovation essay contest and been invited to join their team for the summer.

Innovation Park at Queen's University announced June 27 that a Napanee District Secondary School (NDSS) student has won the innovation essay contest and been invited to join the team for the summer.

Innovation Park at Queen's University announced June 27 that a student of Napanee District Secondary School has won the innovation essay contest and been invited to join their team for the summer.

Innovation Park at Queen's University announced June 27 that a Napanee District Secondary School (NDSS) student has won the innovation essay contest and been invited to join the team for the summer.

In May, Innovation Park invited local area high school students to express their thoughts on the meaning of innovation with the chance of winning a cash prize and life-changing summer job experience. Jake Mitchell, a 17-year-old student at the Napanee highschool has been  awarded the coveted 1st prize.

“It was clear early on that Jake is serious about innovation.” says Janice Mady, Director of Innovation Park at Queen's University.  “He was the first student to throw his hat in the ring, sending his submission just days after the contest was announced. We were truly impressed with his practical, hands-on approach to innovation.”

Mr. Mitchell is an award-winning honour roll student, but what set him apart from other candidates is his passion for developing innovative alternative energy sources. As a member of the NDSS Solar Stirling Group, Jake and his classmates have logged hundreds of hours, after school, building prototype and now full-scale solar-powered engines.

Described by his teachers as "a leader in the group," Mr. Mitchell will help take his school's solar powered project to a world stage by presenting at the World Wind Energy Conference.

As the first-place winner of Innovation Experience, Jake will receive a $500 cash prize from KEDCO and be invited to join the Innovation Park team as a paid summer employee.

Derek Branscombe, a 16-year-old from Bayridge Secondary School, and Pamela Anne McDonald, a 17- year-old student at Regiopolis Notre Dame, were awarded 2nd and 3rd places respectively and cash prizes from KEDCO.

“It is impressive to see that the Kingston area has such a vibrant group of innovative young minds,” says Queen's Vice-Principal (Research) Kerry Rowe. “These students are the innovators of our future, and we feel truly fortunate that we are able to engage with them.”

The winners were announced and awarded their prizes in front of close to 400 guests at the official opening of Innovation Park. Read the winning essays.

About Innovation Park:

Innovation Park at Queen's University is a strategic investment in the physical and intellectual capital enhancing the economic potential of the South Eastern Ontario region.  Made possible by a $21 million grant from the Ontario government, Innovation Park is a facility for academic and industrial research.