The students say that focusing their energy on a marketable product, rather than on abstract research, helps give them a well-rounded education. The students' projects are financed by the Lemelson Foundation, a philanthropy founded by the inventor Jerome Lemelson. The program, which provides money to teams of students at about 100 institutions, is meant to encourage students to invent new technologies and build their skills by creating marketable products.
Most students work on the projects for credit.
An assortment of the best projects were selected for the special exhibition here. A group of students from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute made an electronic punching bag designed to help boxers and martial artists improve their skills. The outside of the bag has flashing lights that show the fighter where to punch to work on certain combinations. Here's a way to get technology into boxing. The students say that focusing their energy on a marketable product, rather than on abstract research, helps give them a well-rounded education.