2 nd Annual Regional
Invention
Contest
2018
Over 3 weeks,
bright young minds across the Pittsburgh region gathered together to compete in the
2nd Annual Regional Invention Contest The air was filled with excitement and the smell of popcorn as students arrived at Inventionland. They glanced around in awe as they walked in, marveling at our amusement-park-style office space filled with castles, pirate ships, and tree houses. The look on their faces as they walked in shouted loud and clear: I’ve never seen anything like this before. A couple of parents mirrored the amazed expressions their children were wearing. Teams of students in grades 3-12 arrived with one common goal:
prove their idea was the best. After spending a semester immersed in the Inventionland Institute Curriculum, winning their local competitions and advancing to the finals, these teams of students were ready to share their original inventions with the world. As each student approached the sign-in table, nervous excitement, laughter, and high-pitched voices quickly filled up the available space. Groups spread out across Inventionland to practice their pitches one more time, making any last-minute changes they thought would sway the judges in their favor. Some teams were full of excited energy while others huddled close, using a timer to make certain that their presentation was as succinct as possible.
The judges entered the castle, conversing eagerly, wondering what extraordinary creations they were about to behold. They came equipped with their clipboards and pens in hand, ready to meet the next great minds of this generation. As the contest began, the first group walked into the castle and stood before the judges, their well-researched powerpoint presentation to their right and their original invention in front of them. The other groups, one by one, lined up in the order in which they’d present. The students had time for one deep breath and then: the contest was underway. The presentations were advanced, containing everything from working prototypes to commercials to marketing campaign ideas. Some students designed T-shirts bearing an original logo which they donned for the presentation. Other students even went as far as to learn about specific types of metal and welding skills in order to create their prototypes.
After the students gave their initial pitch, the judges asked them a series of challenging questions: How did you think of your idea? What is the cost to produce vs. the cost to sell your product? What companies would you want to work with? What were your biggest challenges? Is there a similar product on the market? If so, why is your product better?
During this portion of the presentation, the parents in the waiting rooms conversed with one another nervously. They audibly noted how tough the questions were, but also how much this felt like a real-life product pitch. And they beamed with pride each time their child fired off a well-researched response. As each group presented, the other students gathered around the television sets to watch their classmates and competitors alike. They enthusiastically discussed the presentations, with audible ‘oo’s’ ‘aa’s’ and roaring laughter at the appropriate moments. After the presentations were finished, and as the judges deliberated, it was time for the kids to relax a little and have some fun. During this time, the kids ate and spoke to each other about what they found rewarding about the class. Most students found that the biggest rewards were a combination of working collaboratively and the satisfaction of creating something that was completely original and entirely their own. During the last few minutes before the judges announced the winners, the students walked around and admired each other’s inventions, which were being displayed on a series of tables. Employees from the surrounding buildings came to admire these gadgets as well. As they walked around, students eagerly stood by their creations – ready to network. Finally, the judges had their winners. The kids huddled around the front of the castle, uncharacteristically quiet in anticipation of the results. Some held each other’s hands while others pulled out their smartphones to film the awards ceremony. George Davison emerged first, beaming with pride, and gave an inspirational speech. He spoke of how, at Inventionland Institute, we believe kids should be taught to think for themselves. He discussed the standard testing model and how it doesn’t always allow students to truly shine. We believe students should learn real-world practical knowledge and innovative thinking in the classroom. After George finished his speech, the winners of the contest were announced.
High School Winners 1st Place:
Altoona Area High School
1st
The winners in this division invented a hanger with collapsible arms so you can take your clothes on and off the hanger without stretching out the collar. They were inspired to create the invention because they felt that, when you’re putting clothes on a hanger your clothes tend to either get stretched out or you must go underneath your shirts or dresses – which can take longer than needed. As the group said, a hanger is something that everyone needs, which means its potential to sell is high. They thoroughly researched their cost model, potential materials, and possible business partnerships.
Axelle Marcelli & Mason Ford
3rd Place:
Burgettstown High School
2nd Finn Dobosh, Joey Kurincak, Jacob Hair & Nick Swaney
2nd Place:
Carmichaels Senior High School Magic Pic is a simple and cost-effective invention that involves attaching a hair band to a guitar pic to keep the more forgetful consumer from losing this small item. The team from Carmichael’s came donned in T-shirts sporting their company name and logo. They also focused on how cost-effective their invention was, citing it would only be $1.50 to produce and they could sell the item for $2.99.
Student Evan Boustead’s product was directed toward people in labor jobs who have a lot of tools that they have to transport to and from the job site. He invented what is 3rd essentially a tool box that you can attach to Evan Boustead your truck to transport tools with ease. Evan emphasized the building materials he’d use and the cost-effectiveness of his design since similar tools on the market are thousands of dollars more than the price for which he’d be able to sell his invention. His project was inspired by his father, who worked in the labor industry and had struggles transporting his tools.
Middle School Winners 1st Place:
Carmichaels
1st Nick Sholtis, Jesse Jones, Beau Batis & Michael Stewart
The Carmichael students invented a product that they called Glue-O-Duo, which is a liquid glue that also stores a stick of glue in a center compartment. The boys in this group clearly did their research and even had some creative and catchy slogans thought out! “Glue-O-Duo is sure to get you out of any sticky situation.” Similarly, to the Carmichael’s group from week one, they also came donned in T-shirts with their logo and invention name.
2nd
3rd
Gus Meyers, Anthony Salvini, Zack Serafin, Luke Sweder & Dylan Wudkwych
2nd Place:
Fort Cherry This group’s invention was geared toward farmers. It was a web or net that you could attach to the bottom of a tree that bears fruit to keep the fruit from falling and bruising. It also eliminates a lot of labor for farm hands since, rather than bending over and picking up individual pieces of fruit, they can just use the net to carry the fruit back. The group was inspired by happenstance when they drove by a farm area and saw fruit littering the ground beneath the trees.
Aydan Fauth, Jacob Khanolkar, Ella Richey & Mylie McCrerey
3rd Place:
Chartiers Houston The group from Chartiers Houston invented what they called a Temp Keeper. This nifty and cost-effective invention is a series of strips that you can stick in the shower so that you can always turn the shower knob to your preferred temperature. This is especially handy when you have guests. Instead of trying to explain your complicated and temperamental shower, it’s as simple as saying, “Turn the knob to the green strip!”
3rd Grade Winners 1st Place:
Haine Elementary School
1st Brooke Dugan & Elise Craver
One of the groups from Haine, this group invented a nifty new way to clean – the Sparkly Scrubbers. They focused on how people have to clean and wet their sponge repeatedly when they’re cleaning. They attached a sponge to the bottom of a container that you’d fill with water or a cleaning solution so you don’t have to make continuous trips. They discussed their division of labor, their selling price and where they’d sell the product- including Walmart, Target, and Amazon on the list.
4 th Conner Farren & Ella King
3rd
2nd Sydney Postler & Kaylee Brooks
Keeley Magill & Jaeden Hewett
2nd Place:
3rd Place:
Haine Elementary School
Haine Elementary School
Also, from Haine, this group created the Carella-- combo cape and umbrella for your dog! The group listed the many benefits of their invention, including protecting dogs from the rain as well as the sun on warmer days. They had their pricing model well prepared, saying their invention would cost $15 to make and that they’d sell it for $30.
Another group from Haine Elementary, these students focused their presentation on teamwork and the struggles and triumphs that they faced throughout their journey. They noticed that jewelry tends to get tangled or lost at the bottom of a purse, so they created Jazzy Jewelry: a jewelry box that doubles as a purse.
4th Place:
Haine Elementary School This group, also from Haine, invented the Pet Scratcher-- an extending arm that will allow someone to pet their dog without having to bend down and exert to much energy. The group got their idea because they both have dogs. They love their animals and want to give them the care and attention they need, but sometimes find that they’re too tired to pet them at the end of a long day. They focused their presentation on how they worked together as a team and what they’ve learned from the experience.
5th & 6th Grade Winners 1st Place:
Haine Elementary School
1st Tanner Miklos, Ayla Ward & Payton Brown
2nd Victoria Troyan, Sienna Price & Nick Sherbondy
2nd Place:
Leechburg Elementary School It was clear that the group from Leechburg was eager to make an impression, entering to the tune of the early 2000 classic, Who Let the Dogs Out. They invented the Tricky Challenge Bone, a dog bone that could both be used for teething as well as holding treats within. This group clearly did their research and had everything from their marketing design to how their product would be displayed to even a mascot picked out. They discussed their research into similar designs as well, pointing out how any similar products would only be able to hold select treats, while their product was built to hold any kind.
This Haine group created Light Comfort, a comfortable slipper that not only keeps your feet snug- but also acts as a flashlight! They got their idea because it’s hard to navigate a dark household at night or in the early hours of the morning. Turning on the lights will often wake up or disturb a sleeping family member. They created a prototype in which a small light is attached at the front of the shoe and can be activated using a small switch. They also focused on what they’ve learned in terms of marketing, cost analysis, and what they found rewarding about the project overall.
3rd Miranda Larson, Madison Kmonk & Andrew Kalinoski
3rd Place:
Haine Elementary School This group, also from Haine Elementary, invented Fantastic Elastic, a device that attaches to your phone case and has a slip for your hand. This device is meant to keep people from dropping their cell phones, causing cracks and expensive repairs. Though there are many people who could benefit from this product, the group said that they’d like to specifically target people with disabilities who would find this product particularly helpful. They kept their materials lightweight and low cost stating that, since the phone case would have to be purchased separately, people would be more likely to buy their product at a lower price.
After the winners were announced and the clapping had settled down, students ran up to congratulate one another. The parents were beaming, and the students were jumping up and down as everyone conversed with one another for a while longer. As the excitement started to die down, they gathered up their inventions and headed for the door, looking back one last time at our wonderland as they left Ultimately, at Inventionland Institute, we believe in giving students the tools and freedom necessary to reach their full potential. Taking charge of your own education can be challenging, but we believe the positive results speak for themselves.
inventionlandinstitute.com • 585 Alpha Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15238 • info@inventionlandinstitutecom • 1-800-585-8434