WHAT: Middle- and high-school teams will demonstrate unique devices they have built to toss tissue paper as they compete in the “Streaming Tissue Toss Contest,” the 15th annual Invention Challenge hosted by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., on Fri., Dec. 7.

The objective is to create a device capable of propelling an officially supplied roll of toilet tissue into the air in such as way that it creates a long, unbroken stream of paper. Each team will be allowed to operate their device twice. The winner will be the team whose device tosses the roll and creates the longest unbroken stream of tissue paper.

Twenty student teams from schools throughout Southern California will compete. The student teams were invited to the JPL Invention Challenge based on results from two regional contests held in November. Nine teams of JPL engineers and scientists will also compete.

While the contest rules change each year, the goal is the same: to give students an opportunity to be creative and have fun with math, science and engineering.

This year’s devices must be initiated by a single operation (e.g., cut a string, flick a switch), use safe energy sources, and be no taller than about 8 feet (2.5 meters) and no wider than about 6.5 feet (2 meters). The devices must be made from non-toxic, safe materials.

Trophies for first, second and third place will be awarded in the student and JPL categories for the longest stream of tissue. Certificates will be awarded for the lightest, heaviest, smallest, largest, most unusual, most artistic and most creative device designs.

More information is at: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/events/inventionchallenge/2012/index.cfm .

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine.

WHERE: Mall area of JPL, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, Calif. JPL is located off the Oak Grove Drive exit of the 210 (Foothill) Freeway.

CONTACT: RSVP to Jia-Rui Cook or Elena Mejia in the JPL Media Relations Office by email at jccook@jpl.nasa.gov or elena.mejia@jpl.nasa.gov , or by phone at 818-354-0850 or 393-5467, by Thursday, Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. to arrange access to JPL. Valid media credentials are required. Non-U.S. citizens must also bring valid passports.

2012 JPL Invention Challenge: Participating Schools

1. Village Christian High School, Sun Valley
2. Pacific Technology School-Santa Ana, Costa Mesa
3. Temple City High School, Temple City (three teams)
4. Los Angeles Senior High, Los Angeles
5. South Pasadena High School, South Pasadena
6. Crescenta Valley High School, La Crescenta
7. Savanna High School, Anaheim
8. San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara
9. St. Christopher Middle School, West Covina
10. Granite Hills High School, El Cajon
11. Roosevelt High School-STEM, Los Angeles
12. Beckman High School, Irvine
13. Culver City High School, Culver City
14. Diamond Bar High School, Diamond Bar
15. Arcadia High School, Arcadia
16. Monroe Magnet Middle School, Inglewood
17. Morningside High School, Inglewood
18. Alexander Hamilton High School, Los Angeles