Third annual Innovate competition promoted on campus
By Rakiyah Lenon | Co-editor in chief
The Center for Instructional Innovation at Augusta University hosted a table on the Summerville campus on Wednesday, Jan. 12, to promote Innovate 2022, a competition designed for students to provide solutions to problems within the local community. The Health Sciences campus will have a table on Jan. 14.
Flyers have been placed in several areas on campus explaining the upcoming competition occurring March 31 at the Georgia Cyber Center. This year, the competition has support from AU President Brooks Keel as well as the Provost Neil MacKinnon.
Lynsey Steinberg, member of the competition leadership and certified medical illustrator, said that the competition provides the opportunity for collaboration and creativity.
“We really are aiming to engage students through discovery and innovation and this year it’s for the benefit of the community,” she said. “I think we have so much brainpower here at the university collectively across departments…and the students really want to create or do something that’s bigger than themselves.”
Scott Thorp, the associate vice president in research and member of the competition leadership, was present at the table and thanked students for coming by. Thorp is the department chair of AU’s Department of Art and Design.
As part of involvement leading up to the competition, guests have been invited to speak with students. Steinberg mentioned Ben Chestnut, an Augusta native and the co-founder of Mailchimp, as the first of three guests speaking at the Georgia Cyber Center Friday, Jan. 21. Forbes listed Chestnut as a billionaire.
Steinberg said that students enjoy hearing from people native to the region to inspire them with their projects.
In addition to promoting the competition and providing information about upcoming events and speakers, students were provided an educational experience between classes at the table. They received snacks displaying how certain foods were invented, including potato chips, Goldfish crackers and M&M’s.
Those interested in Innovate 2022 can visit https://www.augusta.edu/innovation/innovate for more details and information.
Lynsey Steinberg (left) and Scott Thorp (right) are both part of the competition’s leadership. At top of page, snacks and information about the competition was provided for students. (photos by Rakiyah Lenon)
Contact Rakiyah Lenon at rlenon@augusta.edu.
