Creativity is getting the attention it needs at UMaine. Innovators on campus were recognized Wednesday night for their initiative. More than a dozen students took part in the Global Innovation Tournament - turning everyday objects into something of value.

Their efforts have brought a positive attention to the Foster Student Innovation Center and proved that our students are motivated.

Participants had five days to turn a water bottle into a new and useful product and produce a 3-minute or shorter video about it. There was no funding for the project. Of the 55 schools and 12 countries participating in the tournament, the University of Maine was the only school in the state and one of few in New England to take part. That's not bad for a state school continually finding itself a victim of budget cuts.

We applaud the four teams that took part and encourage the three moving on to the global level of competition. Because of them, we can look forward to reusing plastic bottles as lifejackets and plant potters.

The Innovation Center has not received the attention it merits since its opening in Oct. 2008. The center provides assistance to students, faculty and staff in starting small businesses and working with new ideas and inventions.

It is nice to see students utilizing this facility and working creatively to become the entrepreneurs we will need in the future.

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