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Innovative Ideas Emerge from Study

Seventeen fourth and fifth grade Kelley School students unveiled some pretty creative invention ideas at the first annual Inventor’s Exhibition June 10. Held in the school foyer from 4-5 p.m. the students presented their ideas, three months in the making, from their individual stations complete with diagrams and makeshift prototypes. The Inventor’s Exhibition grew out of two-month Solution Symposium for 40 fourth and fifth graders picked by their teachers to participate in the program designed to promote creative thinking and apply it to problem-solving skills. District Enrichment and Arts-In-Education Coordinator Robyn Ross-Squirrell, who taught the symposium, had students work on creative challenges such as: creating a floating device that would hold the most weight and design and build a tower from uncooked spaghetti that would hold the most weight. Seventeen students that successfully completed the challenges and a final project were invited to participate in the nearly three-month-long Inventor’s Exhibition program that would challenge them even more and include problem-solving strategy sessions in their class each week and homework.

Bobbi Clifford, former district Art-In-Education and Enrichment Coordinator who is now the Co-Coordinator of the district’s after school Compass Program provided some volunteer help at some of the weekly classes. Once students learned not everything has yet been invented, they were encouraged to think of how things could be improved by a new “invention.” Each came up with an “invention idea” that would solve an identified problem in some unique, but useful way after researching their idea to make sure it wasn’t already on the market. They then prepared a diagram of their invention/innovation. Once their “invention” idea was carefully drawn and labeled, students spent a few weeks developing a working model at home with parental help and developed written descriptions of the idea in class that would be put on display and judged during the exhibit. The inventions were unveiled June 10. Students presented their prototypes and explained them to the judges _ Kelley Principal Teresa Prinzi; Clifford and Michele Vair, a reading teacher assistant at Kelley School. They included: Jacob Rodriguez – “The Hat Pack” is a secret “pack” or “pocket” inside the hat where items like a cell phone or wallet could be hidden. ` Jacob Stalker – “The Waxer 2000” is a device that waxes your car for you. Simon VerMeersch – “The Beanie Heater Hat” is a hat with a pouch in it to hold heat warmers that, when activated, will allow people to stay outside in cold weather for quite a while without thier head getting cold. Dylan Burley _ “The Forever Glove” won’t be lost because the Velcro on the glove attaches to another piece of Velcro inside a coat. Cameron Watson – “The Space Saver Hanger” can hold three pieces of clothing at one time, allowing for use of only one hanger in the closet instead of three. Watson was the first place winner in the fifth grade category at the Inventor’s Exhibition.

Zach Mallette – “The Pain Away Shoe Insert” makes your feet more comfortable in shoes. Ashley Allegretti – “Balance My Bag” solves the annoying problem of purse straps falling off your shoulder. Allegretti was the third place winner in the fifth grade category at the Inventor’s Exhibition. Emilena Wilck – “The Razor Trainer” training wheels help children not to fall off a scooter when learning to ride one. Gabriella Taylor – “The EZ Halter” helps a person keep their grip when leading a cow or heifer, making the experience more comfortable for both the person and the animal. Broden Haltiner – “The Everything Arranger” is an organizer for Legos pieces which, if used, will help prevent parents from getting upset when the Legos pieces aren’t where they are supposed to be. Preston Precourt – “The Scarf Shirt” conveniently has a scarf attached to it. Precourt was the second place winner in the fifth grade category at the Inventor’s Exhibition. Connor Elliott – “The Clothes Carrier” makes carrying clean clothes from the laundry room back to your bedroom a breeze. It can also be used as a closet organizer. Cody Acquista – “The Tie-It-Up Shoe Safe” allows for safe storage of some money in your shoe when you don’t have a pocket. Acquista was the second place winner in the fourth grade category at the Inventor’s Exhibition. Chip Murphy – “The Portable Sock Hanger” allows socks to be matched and hung in pairs on rods off a pole. A small box on top holds socks needing to be laundered. Murphy was the first place winner in the fourth grade category at the Inventor’s Exhibition. Everett Cole – “Dependables” are a leak-proof and reusable diapers for cats with urinary-related problems. The exterior is rubber, with comfortable, absorbing and disposable pads inside. Michael Oberdorf – “Cat Bad Breath-Away Spray” made of safe, natural ingredients applied to cat treats is activated by chewing and promotes better breath right away. Oberdorf was the third place winner in the fourth grader category at the Inventor’s Exhibition. Jaston Brooks – “The Snow Launcher” propels snowballs higher and farther than the average kid can throw them. At a party to celebrate the young inventors’ accomplishments June 20, each received certificates with specific designations for their ideas. Some students’ comments about the experience are also included.

•Micheal Oberdorf – Best Mouth Care Invention “I learned how to research inventions, and am more observant about problems around me to solve!” •Everett Cole – Best Hygiene Invention •Jacob Rodriguez – Best Loss Prevention Invention “I rate this project an 8 (out of 10) because of the stress level, but if I did it again it would be a 10 because I know what to do now” •Jaston Brooks – Best Toy Invention • Simon VerMeersch – Best Thermal Care Invention • Ashley Allegretti – Best Fashion Invention “This experience was awesome!   It was fun finding the right fabric to use for my invention, and making the model.  Planning the whole thing was the best part!” • Gabriella Taylor – Best Pet/Animal Invention  “I loved making the display board! I am actually using my invention with my heifer, Filly.” • Jacob Stalker  - Best Help Dad Invention • Emilena Wilck – Best Little Brother or Sister Invention • Broden Haltiner – Best Organizer Invention • Preston Precourt – Best Don’t Lose it Again Invention • Cameron Watson – Best Time Saver Invention • Connor Elliot – Best Storage Space Invention • Cody Acquista – Best Disguised Invention “My favorite part was building it cause it then just ‘came alive’!  I made something that was unique and new.  Creative thinking is harder that it looks!” • Chip Murphy – Best Working Model “I liked the whole invention experience because I did something new and different from classroom work.   I learned that kids can make changes using creative thinking” • Zack Mallette – Best Foot Care Invention • Dylan Burley - Best Invention To Help Mom

Thanks to Robyn Ross-Squirrell for providing some photos!