SCI Minutes / Meetings / Events

Other Meetings / Events / Seminars / Webinars / Conferences


Contests / Competitions

SCI - Project Meeting - May 26th, 2007

At this meeting we discussed the plans to develop a design proposal for a community member invention.

SCI - Meeting - May 17th, 2007

• officer positions
• election date postponed to May 25th
• SCI internship outreach
• summer projects
• SCI business opportunities
• possible SCI business structures

SCI - Weekly Session - April 12th, 2007

• new member
• reviewed non-disclosure agreement
• discussed two inventions
• discussed goals of club
• discussed funding method

SCI - Weekly Session - April 5th, 2007

• visited GMU's Applied Roboitcs Club
• discussed Robotics Conference trip
• discussed GMU's copyright and patent policies

SCI - Weekly Session - April 4th, 2007

• minutes to be posted

SCI - Weekly Session - March 28th, 2007

• election announcements & positions / SCI solicitation flyers
• social funding board workshops, new procedures
• several business ideas discussed
• direction of SCI, goals to complete for remainder of semester
  • develop business model
  • create partnerships
• meeting on Friday to submit mouse project
• robotics conference arrangements

SCI - Weekly Session - March 21st, 2007

• wrapping up Magazine Fundraiser
• handle project: 3-D drawings, quote for prototype
• partnering with companies / mentorship
• business model / providing CAD service
• community services / outreach for at-risk youth
• robotics conference

Inroduction to the Inventors Club - March 7th

7:30 PM SUB-II Rm 5

SCI - Weekly Session - February 21st, 2007

• ideas and questions about provisional patent for military application
• additonal ideas discussed / brochure for club
• plans to finish mouse project
• Andy to work with Neil and Collaborative People
• schedule meeting with the Applied Robotics Club President
• Goals: partner with companies by May
  • engineers
  • prototypes
  • manufacturers
  • marketers
• positions
  • president / chief executive officer / executive director
  • vice president / chief technical officer
  • treasurer / chief financial officer
  • secretary / chief administrative officer
• Mason Entrepreneurs web site
• room reservations: spweb.gmu.edu
• events
  • EntrepreneurshipWeekUSA
    • kiosks
    • contest: $300, Ipod, etc...
    • network meeting
    • advertising / flyers
  • magazine fund drive
    • goals
      • 42 subscriptions = $1000, top fundraiser gets $100, 2nd gets $50
      • 26 subscriptions = $300, top fundraiser gets $50, 2nd gets $25
    • ideas
      • doctors/dentists office - Andy
      • web site - Neil
• club funding
  • group unanimously votes to have $1 collection at each meeting
  • selling Ipods / discuss with Ian Moor
• meeting 12pm Friday February 23rd

SCI - Weekly Session - February 7th, 2007

• brainstormed for EntrepreneurshipWeek USA
• decided to build robotic arm
• defined current stage of mouse project and Andy to continue research
• planned to meet with Applied Robotics Club to initiate modular robotic project
• brainstormed for idea for elementary school project
• planned to meet with Professor Pachowicz to help solve current road block in club
• Ian will help with current road block
• for Entrepreneurship Week USA will have kiosks and networking workshop
• find company to have at kickoff event

SCI - Weekly Session - January 29th, 2007

• discussed
  • problems and solutions for club
  • events for the spring semester
  • meeting times
  • semester goals

SCI - Weekly Session - January 18th, 2007

• discussed white cane and pill counter surveys
• discussed need for feedback from pharmacy technicians

SCI - Weekly Session - January 11th, 2007

• developed questionaire for:

• visually impaired / white cane project
• pharmacists / pill counter

• discussed
  • additional features / capabilities for pill counter
  • status of projects

SCI - Weekly Session - December 20th, 2006

SCI - Weekly Session - November 29th, 2006

SCI - Weekly Session - November 15th, 2006

SCI - Weekly Session - November 8th, 2006

SCI - Weekly Session - November 1st, 2006

SCI - Weekly Session - October 25th, 2006

SCI - Weekly Session - October 18th, 2006

SCI - GMU Family Weekend Event - October 14th, 2006

SCI sponsored an Inventors Workshop for Kids for the families of GMU students at the 2006 GMU Family Weekend FunZone event.

The FunZone provided activities for siblings where Mason students were able to bring their siblings to enjoy carnival games, Play Station games, and more with members of GMU student organizations. Kids had an opportunity to have their pictures taken, fingerprinted, and receive their very own personal Photo ID, courtesy of the George Mason Police Department.

At the SCI Inventors Workshop for kids, we provided various media for kids to choose from to come up with an idea for an ivention or just to have some creative fun. Raffle prizes were also awarded. If it is still active, the showcase can be view at http://inventors.gmu.edu/familyweekend-2006.html

Information about GMU's Family Weekend Event may be found at the following URL if still active: http://masonfamily.gmu.edu/familyweekend.htm

SCI - Weekly Session - October 11th, 2006

SCI - Weekly Session - October 4th, 2006

SCI - Weekly Session - September 27th, 2006

SCI - Fall 2006 Kick-off Event - September 20th, 2006

SCI - Weekly Session - August 23rd, 2006

SCI - Weekly Session - August 14th, 2006

SCI - Weekly Session - August 9th, 2006

SCI - Weekly Session - August 2nd, 2006

SCI - Weekly Session - July 28th, 2006

SCI - Weekly Session - July 19th, 2006

SCI - Weekly Session - Wednesday July 12th, 2006

• David Grossman of OTT at GMU gave us an overview for an effective way to search patents
• we discussed ways to present the robotics project as a GMU project
• we reviewed preliminary patent research findings
• we proposed another project

SCI - Weekly Session - Wednesday July 5th, 2006

SCI - Weekly Session - Friday June 30th, 2006

SCI Weekly Meeting - June 21

Projects: We discussed design solutions and presented the parts for the first prototype of one project. For another project we submitted a second version of a prototype model to aid in CAD drawings and then we had some fun with a remote controlled robotics vehicle.

We discussed details concerning the self-reconfigurable robotics project and concerns about the proposal for a permanent room for the organization.

Goals for next week: additional project research, complete CAD drawings for one project, finish prototype for another project, complete and submit abstract for self-reconfigurable robotics project, finalize budget proposal, prepare first draft of room proposal.

Special thanks to Tony for bringing in the equipment and supplies!

Outreach Meeting on June 14th

The President and Vice President of SCI met with the Assistive Technology department at GMU and discussed how SCI can work together with them in helping to develop and implement technology for students with disabilities, and to collaborate on future events in assistive technology and innovations. Kristine Neuber and her assistant Annette Carr presented a fascinating assortment of technology currently used to help the physically impaired. Contact us if you are interested in learning more or would like to participate in the development of these projects.

The President of SCI met with Professor Pachowicz and discussed ideas and concerns for a collaborative effort to showcase senior design projects, and to implement a program that has the potential to bring senior projects into full development and commercialization. Professor Pachowicz also suggested key areas for the organization to focus on. In addition, he was offered to become the new advisor for SCI and graciously accepted the offer.

SCI Weekly Meeting - June 12

We presented concerns and suggestions for public disclosure and non-disclosure policies. Kevin Baily, President of Mason Entrepreneurs, joined us and presented the mutual benefits and ideas in our partnership with the Mason Entrepreneurs. A potential market survey and busineness proposal project was presented for the Mason Entrepreneurs. Government proposals were discussed and resources at INCA were recommended. Project materials and a preliminary model for a prototype were presented. We discussed budget procedures and requirements and fund raising ideas.

Projects are moving along. Next week's goals are:

• Project-1: contact potential manufacturer.
• Project-2: additional research required.
• Project-3: build functioning prototype.
• Project-4: preliminary research stage.

SCI Weekly Meeting - June 5

We reviewed research results, presented a detailed sketch, and presented additional short term projects. We decided to focus on four short term projects and assigned project leaders. We reviewed member and officer responsibilities and set goals for the next week. Goals include research, cost analysis, CAD drawing, prototype model, suggestions for fall fund raiser, and 2006-2007 budget.

SCI Weekly Meeting - May 25

Our summer weekly meetings have begun ! At our first summer meeting on May 25th, we began the research phase on our current projects. Two of the projects are technologies to assist the visually impaired on campus, and the third is a driver-friendly automotive mp3 player.

Summary of Meetings for the Spring Semester 2006

Thank you to all who attended our weekly meetings in the spring semester. We have continued to refine the organization and are moving forward. In the spring semester we had an invention mini-workshop, learned from experienced inventors, brain-stormed on new ideas and have entered the beginning stages of our own inventions.

A fantastic semester with community and partnership, and inventions on the horizon !

SCI Attends Mason Entrepreneurs Meeting - May 5th

The Mason Entrepreneurs and the Students Center for Innovations had a joint meeting Friday, May 5th. We will be working together with the Mason Entrepreneurs as we enter into the marketing and business phases of our projects. We will also support them in the development of ideas related to entrepreneurial projects that they will be working on.

SCI Weekly Meeting - April 27

During our meetings in April we brain-stormed on a variety of potential projects. Some of these projects included developing technology for the community to assist those who are physically challenged. We selected three projects on which to begin our research. Other topics that we discussed included distinguishing the difference between the inventors club (those involved in the organization) and the Students Center for Innovations (a long term goal for a facility were student organizations and individual students can work on their technological and entrepreneurial innovations).

We also talked about providing a way for senior projects to enter into the stages of final design for implementation and marketing, or as appropriate. The idea is to allow these senior projects, which often are left undeveloped to their full potential of their application and marketability and to provide additional projects for development at SCI.

SCI Attends GADIG Meeting - April 19

The Game Analysis and Design Interest Group held a meeting to discuss proposals for a Microsoft sponsored game project and to consider other proposals for the future. The DC Public Libraries Assisting Technology Department is interested in developing software for the visually impaired. Project details were presented for this meeting for consideration.

SCI Weekly Meeting - April 17

SCI Weekly Meeting - April 11

We established a list of over a dozen potential projects to consider for the organization including household products, devices and programs to assist the physically challenged, student & office products, robotics and energy saving devices. This is exactly why SCI is here - to foster the development of new ideas ! We also shared about individuals and organizations in the community who expressed interest in working together with SCI.

SCI Weekly Meeting - April 4

We kicked off the series of weekly meetings with an overview of SCI and the opportunities that are ahead, and we began brain-storming on ideas for potential inventions for the organization.

Introduction to SCI - First Meeting - March, 30th 2006

Thank you to everyone who made it to the first SCI meeting. Special thanks to Julio Alvarado and Bryan Ruffner for sharing there expertise, knowledge and experience, and to Neil Desmond for presenting his invention. The highlights are as follows:

We presented how SCI will foster and facilitate the development of new ideas including software and hardware technology, products and service, businesses, and environmental solutions. We explained our vision in beginning with a simple product to bring to market; to integrate the various departments and resources at GMU to work together; to establish a mutually beneficial relationship with the community; and to create a technologically advanced facility to support the Students Center for Innovations.

We had a mini workshop where we addressed current problems and came up with new ideas to address those problems.

Neil Desmond, a student here at GMU, talked about his invention, a self-reconfigurable modular utility system. His presentation included an illustration of a module and a video clip showing a similar device in action.

Julio Alvarado, over 20 years at IBM, holding several patents, and member of the Inventors Network of the Capitol Area, spoke on the importance of thorough research before investing in a new invention and provided valuable information and resources for anyone considering to pursue an invention.

We had Q & A and discussions with Julio Alvarado as well as Bryan Ruffner, who holds seven patents, thirteen years in engineering at Raytheon/E-Systems, two years as a startup Product Development Director, and has been working independently on his inventions for the past seven years. He is currently treasurer of Inventors Network of the Capitol and caring for his family.

We discussed things to know, what to do, and what not to do when pursuing a new invention, how to search for information related to your invention by using associated terms, using broad terminology when creating a patent, and how to find others who may be interested in your idea.

If you decide to pursue an invention, be sure to do your research first. Find out what is already out there, and find out if your idea is worthwhile to pursue. Some of the resources mentioned included the United States Patent and Trademark Office and a book titled From Patent To Profit. You can also find vast amounts of information about inventions, patenting, licensing and marketing on the internet as well as your local library.

If you missed this meeting, we hope to have another meeting by the end of the semester. You can also join us for our weekly meetings as we embark on projects. Please contact us for further details.