Photo by David Nevala/courtesy UW-Madison College of Engineering

Innovation Days, the University of Wisconsin’s annual undergraduate invention competition, celebrates its 20th anniversary when it takes place Thursday and Friday at Engineering Hall, 1415 Engineering Dr.

According to a release, the competition, which is open to the public, was founded to encourage UW undergraduate students to undertake self-directed research and entrepreneurship.

This year, students will present 18 different ideas or prototypes, including a medical tool, a weight machine for amputees and a portable beverage container. More than $28,000 in prizes will be awarded.

“Innovation Days is an incredible forum for students,” Justin Vannieuwenhoven, last year’s winner, said. “This is a great opportunity to get an unbiased opinion about your product or project.”

Attendees can expect to see “anything from proof of concept prototypes all the way to products ready to go on the shelf,” Vannieuwenhoven said.

Vannieuwenhoven is entering the competition again with a year-round fishing rod holder called the Year Round Tip Down and a golf tee called Yortee that can display a custom logo. He also won the 2013 Burrill Competition with his CFS Holder, the predecessor to his Year Round Tip Down.