Finalists Announced for the Antonio Meucci Young Inventors Competition

The 15 finalists have been announced for the Antonio Meucci Young Inventors' Competition, sponsored by the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, in conjunction with Time Warner Cable.

Staten Island students in grades 4 through 8 were invited to present an original idea for a new invention/product or an improvement on an existing one-anything from a helpful kitchen gadget to a machine that does your homework for you. Over 100 entries were received and reviewed by museum staff members to select the 15 finalists. On Sunday, June 12, 2011 between 12 noon and 3 p.m., the students will present their inventions to a panel of expert judges. The final judging will take place at the St. Joseph's Parochial School auditorium (139 St. Mary's Avenue at the corner of Tompkins Avenue in Rosebank, Staten Island). The general public is invited to attend the free reception, beginning at 2:30 p.m., to view all the entries and celebrate this new generation of inventors.

The finalists come from schools all over Staten Island: Rebecca Soler from PS 48; Alex Brewi from Lavelle Charter School; Sophia Rizzo from Blessed Sacrament; Allison Gass and Noelle Mele from Our Lady Star of the Sea; Ravindu Seneviratias from PS 54; John Pessolano and Michael McMillian from St. Joseph's; Olapeju Oladitan from St. Mary's; Chelsey Lin from Staten Island Academy; Alyssa Squicciarini and Hayden Gumb from St. Clare's; Katie Candelario from Jewish Foundation School; James Borovilas from Our Lady of Good Counsel; Maame Assante from PS 58 and Christian Carucci and Joseph Falcone from Our Lady Queen of Peace.

The judges will be looking for simple, creative solutions to common problems, as well as an understanding of the scientific principles behind the invention. Cash prizes will be awarded.

The competition is named for Antonio Meucci, an Italian expatriate inventor who lived in Rosebank from 1850 until his death in 1889. Throughout his lifetime, Meucci was responsible for many inventions, improvements and ideas. In addition to his discovery of the telephone in 1848 and his development of that instrument over the next 30 years, Meucci manufactured smokeless candles, created a tea and coffee filtering system, made improvements in oil and kerosene lamps, found a way to make paper from wood pulp, and even canned tomato sauce.

For more information call 718-442-1608.

Regular museum hours are 1 p.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is $5 per person, members and children under 10 are free. Call ahead for groups of 10 or more. The first floor of the museum is wheelchair accessible. At press time, program funding has been provided through the Order Sons of Italy in America; by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; the Office of the Staten Island Borough President, Richmond County Savings Foundation; Northfield Bank Foundation, and by grants allocated by New York State Senator Diane Savino and New York City Council members Vincent Ignizio and James Oddo. The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum is owned and operated by the Order Sons of Italy in America.