In a move to encourage promising young STEM students to consider entering the tire industry, Maxxis is sponsoring Future Tires, this year’s sponsor-specified category in the Monte Jade Innovation Competition (MJIC). The sponsor-specified category is one of two eligible for prizes in the overall competition.
Future Tires requires entrants to submit a tire design or prototype, along with supporting information. The first-prize winner will receive $2,500; two second-prize winners will get $1,500 each; and as many as five third-prize winners will receive $500 each. Winners will also have potential opportunities for internships or mentoring from tire engineering professionals.
The competition’s other category, Concept Product, requires students to create a hardware or software solution for a real-world problem or challenge. First, second, and third-place winners will receive prizes totaling $5,000, with $2,500 of that amount going to the contestant who wins first place. As with the Future Tires winners, winning entrants in this category will have potential chances at internships or mentoring.
For both categories, entries will be judged on criteria including creativity, feasibility, and marketability.
MJIC is open to undergraduate and graduate students at any college or university in the United States. Entries will be accepted from individuals and/or from teams of up to three members. All entrants must be student members of Monte Jade Southeastern, the organization conducting the competition, but eligible students may join the group through its website, www.montejadese.org.
A workshop to familiarize applicants with the innovation process is planned for May 12 at the Maxxis Technology Center in Suwanee, Georgia. Interested students are encouraged to attend.
A branch of the global Monte Jade Science and Technology Association, Monte Jade Science and Technology Southeastern (Monte Jade Southeastern) was formed In Atlanta, Georgia in 1993. The larger group was named after the highest mountain in Taiwan, and was formed by a group of executives in Silicon Valley with the aim of encouraging technological development, entrepreneurship, and awareness. Based in Atlanta, Monte Jade Southeastern conducts seminars, conferences, and other events every year.
Applications and project proposals to enter the contest will be accepted from now until May 31, with designs or prototypes and supporting information accepted from August 1-31. Winners will be announced October 26, with an award ceremony to follow on November 10.
Additional rules and conditions apply. To apply or to find additional information, visit www.montejadese.org/#mjic, or email [email protected].
