A Wesson student at the University Iowa (UI) won a cash prize in the college's IdeaStorm competition.
Katherine Westbrook was one of 24 students who received cash prizes after successfully sharing their ideas in two minute or less in four uniquely-focused competitions last at various locations on the UI campus.
Westbrook, who studies English and Creative Writing at UI, received the third place $300 award for her presentation in the Consumer Solutions IdeaStorms competition on a virtual reality basic weld training simulator that teaches the trade without the safety hazards and cost.
Other students received awards in Health Initiatives, Creative Concepts and Common Good Idea Storm categories
IdeaStorms are entry level pitch competitions coordinated by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center across the University of Iowa's campus that encourage students to share their innovative ideas with others, all while familiarizing themselves with the pitching process. They encourage UI students to share their new, never heard before ideas without the requirements of a business plan or proposal, and provide a collaborative environment where students can get feedback and resources on how to make their ideas into a reality. Ninety-one students representing a varied of subject majors and areas of study shared their business ideas in two minutes or less with a panel of judges and an audience.
In addition to cash award winner selected by judges, students who attended IdeaStorms sessions chose People's Choice award winners.
The University of Iowa is one of the nation's premier public research universities, and is known worldwide for leadership in the arts, sciences, and humanities. It is the home of the first and best creative writing program in the world, a world-class academic medical center -- one of America's top teaching hospitals and a can-do culture that fosters a campus-wide dedication to student success.