Creativity on display at inaugural Torrance Innovation Festival
Sixth grader Ani Kennell shows off her device that lets her play volleyball with herself during the Torrance Innovation Festival at El Camino College on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer) Seventh grader Leah Gonzalez provides a demonstration of a street trash-cleaning robot during the Torrance Innovation Festival at El Camino College on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer) Attendees fill up Marsee Auditorium for the awards ceremony during the Torrance Innovation Festival at El Camino College on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer) Second grader students walk up to the stage to receive their medals at an awards ceremony during the Torrance Innovation Festival at El Camino College on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer) 11th grade students Rugved Patil, left, and Christian Mendoza showcase their invention, a lower-cost version of a motorized solar panel, during the Torrance Innovation Festival at El Camino College on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer) TUSD Board of Education President Jasmine Park hands a student a ribbon for his invention idea during the Torrance Innovation Festival at El Camino College on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer) Second grade students are handed medals, ribbons and certificates for their invention ideas during the Torrance Innovation Festival at El Camino College on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer) 11th grade students Rugved Patil, left, and Christian Mendoza showcase their invention, a lower-cost version of a motorized solar panel, during the Torrance Innovation Festival at El Camino College on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer) Fourth grader Wyatt Cerise gives a presentation about his invention, a “Hover Sweeper Mop,” during the Torrance Innovation Festival at El Camino College on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer) Attendees peruse the rows upon rows of student inventions on display during the Torrance Innovation Festival at El Camino College on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer) First grade students receive medals for their inventions during the Torrance Innovation Festival at El Camino College on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer) Attendees walk down the rows of stalls of student inventions during the Torrance Innovation Festival at El Camino College on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer) A child dances in joy after receiving a medal at an awards ceremony during the Torrance Innovation Festival at El Camino College on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer) Thousands of students, parents and attendees walk from the Innovation Convention in the North Gym to the award ceremony in the Marsee Auditorium during the Torrance Innovation Festival at El Camino College on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer) TUSD Superintendent Tim Stowe speaks at the awards ceremony during the Torrance Innovation Festival at El Camino College on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer) Around 1,500 students, families and community members flocked to El Camino College on Saturday, March 23, to attend the inaugural Torrance Innovation Festival. The all-day event, organized by the Torrance Unified School District, featured a diverse array of activities designed to celebrate innovation and creativity in the community. A key feature of the event was the Southern California Regional Invention Convention competition and awards ceremony, which provided TK-12 students from across the region an opportunity to showcase their inventions and receive recognition from volunteer judges. The Invention Convention, a global educational initiative, fosters students’ creativity and problem-solving skills by encouraging them to invent new products. TUSD typically hosts the award ceremony for the South Bay. But Saturday’s event marked the first year TUSD organized it for the entire Southern California region, according to district spokesperson Sara Myers. “It’s the very first time we’ve ever done this,” Myers said. “So we hope to build on it each year.” Participants who emerged victorious in the regional contest will advance to the national and global competitions. Winners may also secure patents for their inventions, Myers said. Attendees also met beloved children’s book authors, observed student “mathletes” practicing for Los Angeles County’s Math Field Day, participated in a student-led film festival, explored handmade items by student entrepreneurs, and enjoyed music, dance and art performances.