A random material, three hour, and the chance to win big. How far will students’ creativity go? 

With the “Something to Nothing Innovation Challenge” being hosted by the E-Hive for the sixth time this year, students have an opportunity to let their creativity fly. The contest which is being held on Feb. 11, in the auxiliary gymnasium in the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse, is the first time since 2022 that the event has occurred. 

The E-Hive, as well as being sponsored by The Stover Foundation, is offering winning groups potentially $700 according to the Chief Maker of the E-Hive, Andrew Heisey. “Honestly, the prize money is huge. $700 for a three-hour commitment, or potentially $700, is worth the time,” Heisey said.

Heisey has been overseeing this competition for years now, and is equally impressed with each and every creation that comes out of the competition. “Every year, there is something you don’t expect, and that’s the whole point,” Heisey said.

Past years of this competition have proved that are still students atWaynesburg University who have creative passions. Former winners have included duct tape decals that were handed out like stickers, plastic bags turned into functional flower planters and even plastic turned into a throne-like chair.

For the students who plan to challenge themselves, Cassy Dorsch, the director of the E-Hive and the Nest, suggests that students should be, “brainstorming what products could be made,” as well as, “brainstorming new inventions or just product development in general could help them.” 

Dorsch has been an advocate for this competition and has tried to make it happen these past years, noting how excited she is that it is happening again. “We are really excited to launch it again this year,” Dorsch expressed.

In previous years, the students have had a whole week to work on their item. However, this year is a little different. 

“Students only have three hours to create something of value,” Dorsch explained. “It’s designed to still foster that creativity and innovation mindset, but by reducing it to that three hours, it’s gonna be a challenge.”

The three hours as opposed to the whole week as seen previously with this competition is a part of an idea to make it a, “rapid prototyping challenge” as Dorsch called it. This way, it won’t seem like a chore or extra homework to the students attending.