Upcoming Event Helps Turn Curiosity into Action

Upcoming Event Helps Turn Curiosity into Action

LA GRANDE, Ore. – Students and community members with big questions, or simply a curiosity about innovation, will have the opportunity to turn ideas into real-world solutions during the Eastern Oregon Innovation Jam, a hands-on event hosted by Eastern Oregon University in early 2026.

Participants will work in teams to explore real-world challenges, develop ideas, and create early-stage prototypes with guidance from mentors and industry professionals. No pre-existing idea is required, and teams must include at least one enrolled college student. Community members from across the region are encouraged to participate.

Students who take part in the Innovation Jam will have the opportunity to advance to InventOR 2026, Oregon’s statewide collegiate prototyping challenge, where winning teams can compete for more than $30,000 in prizes.

The Eastern Oregon Innovation Jam will take place on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026 (9 a.m.–5 p.m.) and Saturday, April 4, 2026 (9 a.m.–3 p.m.) at Eastern Oregon University.

Faculty, professionals, and community members are also invited to support the event as mentors, instructors, or judges, helping student teams build skills and confidence while strengthening Eastern Oregon’s growing innovation ecosystem.

The Eastern Oregon Innovation Jam is hosted by EOU in partnership with Invent Oregon, the Oregon Frontier Innovation Hub, an initiative of EOU’s Rural Engagement & Vitality (REV) Center, and EOU’s Greater Oregon Science Technology Engineering & Math (GO-STEM) Hub. The Oregon Frontier Innovation Hub is supported by Business Oregon.

For more information, visit www.revcenter.org/2026-innovation-jam. To schedule a classroom or community presentation, contact Carter Gudell at cgudell@revcenter.org, (860) 899-8395.