How would you define innovation? Environmentalism? Or entrepreneurship? The Juicy Ideas Competition asked college students to demonstrate all three. Attracting nearly 900 college students from roughly 30 schools, The Juicy Ideas Competition asked students to create an innovative product out of a "throw-away" item. They were then asked to post a video that illustrated these three factors and post it to YouTube.

Videos poured in from all over the country - we saw everything from blankets made out of plastic bags to coffee tables made out of Gatorade bottles. But none of the ideas stood out as much as the four students from Appalachian State University in North Carolina. Spencer Price, Ryan Klinger, Andrew Drake, and Justin Henry created a working bicycle out of used water bottles to win the Juicy Ideas grand prize trip to the Google Headquarters in Mountain View.

At the Googleplex last week, the students spent an exciting day listening to presentations from Googlers on the unique business culture, our green transportation efforts, and new features in Google Earth. We even got them on our conference bike! Most importantly, the students got to present their winning video and it's version 2.0 to a group of Google employees. Take a look at how they transformed a simple idea into a feasible business model:

Google was thrilled to be a supporter of the Juicy Ideas Competition and we look forward to the exciting ideas that will arise next year! Juicy Ideas is coming to a school near you! If you're interested in participating or just want more information join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Posted by Mary Radomile, Program Manager, EngEDU