WHAT: Middle- and high-school teams, plus a few JPL teams, have built unique devices to compete in the “Kick Into the Can Contest,” the 14th annual Invention Challenge hosted by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., on Fri., Dec. 9.

The objective is to create a device that kicks a football of regulation size and weight into a trashcan located 16.4 feet (5 meters) away. Each team will be allowed to have their device kick the football a maximum of three times within a one-minute interval. Points are awarded for getting close to or inside the trashcan. The winner will be the team whose device accumulates the most points.

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

The specific goal of the Invention Challenge changes every year, but the applied creativity and engineering skills demonstrated by the students remain consistent. This event shows students in the community that math, science and engineering can be fun.

A special guest from a noted collegiate football team will be participating this year as an honorary judge. First, second and third place trophies will be awarded in the student and JPL categories for the team that accumulates the most points. Certificates will be awarded for the lightest, heaviest, smallest, largest, most unusual, most artistic and most creative designs.

More information is at: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/events/inventionchallenge/2011/index.cfm .

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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: To arrange access to JPL, media must RSVP to Priscilla Vega in the JPL Media Relations Office at 818-354-1357 by Thursday, Dec. 8 at 4 p.m. Valid media credentials are required. Non U.S.-citizens must also bring passports.

2011 JPL Invention Challenge: Participating Schools

1. South Pasadena Middle School, South Pasadena
2. Monroe Magnet Middle School, Inglewood
3. Diamond Bar High School, Diamond Bar
4. Los Angeles Senior High School, Los Angeles
5. Temple City High School, Temple City (three teams)
6. San Marcos High School, San Marcos
7. Pacific Technology School, Santa Ana
8. Bancroft Middle School, Los Angeles
9. Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, Los Angeles
10. Culver City High School, Culver City (two teams)
11. Crescenta Valley High School, La Crescenta (two teams)
12. Morningside High School, Inglewood
13. Alexander Hamilton High School, Los Angeles
14. Savana High School, Anaheim (two teams)
15. Granite Hills High School, El Cajon
16. Gabrielino High School, San Gabriel
17. South East High School, South Gate
18. Diamond Bar High School, Diamond Bar