florida.HIGH.TECH florida.HIGH.TECH 2016 | Page 50

it necessary to boil the jar and fruit. The inal programs that introduce kids to science through innovative classes in their product was a thick, delicious spread made creativity lab, fabrication lab, early entrepreneur program for middle and high possible by chemistry. school students, and the living inventor series. One class in particular is titled ‘Bubblegum + Ice Cream’ teaching thermal science, polymer food science, pH Adhering to the same approach to teach scales and more while creating delicious treats. science, Cade Miles leads Gainesville’s Cade Museum as founder and CEO with a mission to Its signature program is the Cade Museum Prize. Open to inventors in Florida, inspire creative thinking, future inventors and the Prize provides $50,000 in cash to the winner for seed capital and publicity of early entrepreneurs so that communities lourish. their innovative idea or product. While numerous industries and educators focus “Completing the Cade Prize was a very pleasant and helpful experience,” said on the importance of science, technology, Hooman Banaei, Everix Optical Filters founder/CEO and winner of the 2015 engineering and math (STEM), she sees Cade Prize. “I would say the same even if we hadn’t won because the entire added value in an art component (STEAM) process is so thoughtfully designed to teach the applicants how to prepare a incorporating visual and hands-on learners. pitch around an innovative product.” “My father was interested in how to promote innovation and inventors before he passed away,” said Cade Miles. “The Cade Museum is our answer to inspiring creative thinking and entrepreneurs. By including art to teach science we introduce a different thought pattern in problem solving. It brings together the ways people learn.” Innovation and creati The museum will open its doors in summer Richard Miles, Cade Museum co-founder and vice president, was instrumental 2017, but it is already pushing forward with in creating the Cade Prize in 2010 with a goal to provide a platform for new Orlando’s Everix manufactures lexible optical ilters that are thinner than a human hair comprised of hundreds of layers. The innovative approach in creating the new material makes the product that can be used for screen protectors and ilters, glasses and other items less expensive. An optical ilter that cost $2,000 may now cost less than $100, making it accessible to the general public. ideas with the potential to follow in the footsteps of Gatorade. 48 florida.HIGH.TECH 2016