Out of This World

10-YEAR-OLD'S INVENTION BROUGHT TO LIFE

What challenges do astronauts face when they’re in a rocket ship? That’s what Masonic Heights student Madeline Calappi was asking herself when she dreamed up a utensil helmet for use in outer space. After all, astronauts can’t have their fork floating away when they have mac and cheese to eat, right?

Calappi’s problem-solving skills were noticed, as her invention was one of only four ideas chosen to be brought to life out of 784 total entries in this year’s Operation LiftOff: Little Inventors MISD Mission Moon. STARBASE One, a nonprofit youth program utilizing STEM education, created the helmet using CAD design and 3D printing.

The process began on May 13 when Calappi met the makers via Zoom and discussed her utensil helmet idea and planned how to create her vision. The conversation covered the design, materials and colors. "My favorite color is purple. I'd like for the fork, knife, and spoon to be silver," Calappi said. She wanted Velcro on the helmet, exactly what NASA uses, too.

According to Mark Muzzin, STEM education consultant, her invention is a big deal. He said that nine districts and 27 teachers participated. Calappi created her submission in Debbie Bloomhuff's fourth grade class during the 20212022 school year. Her classmates, which included best friend Sierra Grant, loved her concept. On June 9, a special celebration was held to honor Calappi and three other young inventors from Macomb County whose ideas were also being brought to life. "It looked cool,” says Calappi of her helmet prototype. “I liked it. It was way more than I hoped it would be."

Madeline Calappi’s mother, Rebecca Calappi, said that the entire family – she, her husband and son – are very proud of Madeline. She explained the experience as “an amazing opportunity for her to grow and gain confidence.”

“Madeline is a one-of-a-kind kid,” Rebecca Calappi says. “She is true to herself, determined and caring. This program certainly met its goal with her as she is excited to further explore science and engineering projects. Combine that with her desire to be a DJ, and she could be the first person to throw a dance party on another planet!”

For more information about Starbase, go to www. starbaseone.org. To check out ideas from other young people, check out littleinventors.org/ideas

“MADELINE IS A ONE-OF-A-KIND KID.” -REBECCA CALAPPI Top: Madeline Calappi's idea on paper Middle Left: Madeline Calappi, left, with Rick Simms and Jill Brodzik from STARBASE One – Simms and Brodzik created the helmet prototype Middle Right: Madeline Calappi with her mother Rebecca Calappi Photos courtesy of Rebecca Calappi

Smart LEGAL TIPS

Your Rights Following an Auto Accident

BY DAVID FEMMININEO

When you are involved in an automobile accident, it is certainly important to be aware of what you are entitled to receive. After all, you have paid for insurance to protect you if you are involved in an accident. Generally, your insurance company will love you right up until the moment that you actually file a claim. Then, often times, your insurance company will then do everything they can to not pay your claim or only partially pay you what you are entitled to.

Specifically, you have certain rights against your own insurance company and then certain rights against the other driver. Since Michigan is a No-Fault State, you have certain rights against your own insurance company regardless of fault. Those rights, against your OWN insurance company, are: 1. The right to recover 85% of your wages for the first 3 years following the accident so long as your doctor disables you from working. 2. You can receive $20 per day for assistance around the house for your normal activities of daily living that you would normally perform on your own and now require others’ help. 3. Payment of medical bills up to the amount of the limits of medical that you purchased from your auto insurance company (this can be as low as zero or as high as unlimited). It is important to recognize and understand the rights that you have against your own insurance company so that you can obtain the compensation that you deserve. Now, against the other driver, you have the right to recover for your pain, suffering, fright, shock, embarrassment, humiliation, depression, stress and anxiety that occurs as a result of the accident. You also may recover any excess medical bills beyond your limits as well as any excess wage loss beyond the maximum wage loss rate under Michigan law. Lastly, you may also recover for any permanent disfigurement that may have occurred as a result of the accident and the resulting surgeries, cuts, road rash, etc.

The recovery against the other driver involved in the accident is strictly dependent upon fault. You must be less than 50% at fault for causing the accident in order to be able to recover. Unfortunately, if you are greater than 50% at fault for causing the accident (even if you are determined to be 51% at fault) you are barred from recovering under Michigan law. Michigan law can be complicated regarding automobile accidents. I would advise that you seek legal advice immediately following an automobile accident so that you may fully exercise your rights.

David Femminineo is an auto accident injury attorney and founding owner of Femminineo Law in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. David graduated from Detroit College of Law in 1996 and has been practicing injury law for over 25 years. David can be reached at his office at (586) 954-9500 or on his website at getdavidgetpaid.com.

PLANNING Financial

Don’t Write Off the Second Half of 2022, Yet

BY JEFFREY BRAYTON

Ican’t recall a time with this many conflicting economic signals all at once. Unfortunately, in the face of heightened levels of uncertainty, the path of least resistance for the stock market is generally lower, and this is exactly what we have seen in 2022 thus far. This year has been a painful reminder that investing is not always easy or fun.

The reality is what we have experienced this year in the stock market, while unsettling, is more normal than the previous 18-24 months. U.S. markets had been moving higher, almost without interruption, since the spring of 2020. Statistics collected by Dow Jones Market Data tell us that the broad market will fall between 12-14% on average once every calendar year. I know historical averages are of little solace when your investments are declining every month, but it does confirm the declines have always been temporary.

Why have markets fallen in 2022? Several factors are at play, but we believe the main trigger has been a sudden pivot by the Federal Reserve (Fed) toward a more aggressive schedule of interest rate hikes to fight inflation. Let’s discuss the nutshell version of Fed monetary policy. Inflation is essentially a symptom of an overheating economy, and the Fed is attempting to cool the economy down by increasing the cost of borrowing. push the economy into a recession. This risk adds a layer of uncertainty to future economic growth and earnings, and markets hate uncertainty. It now seems everyone is expecting the worst case scenario for 2022, and the year is only half over! The media has us so obsessed with what could go wrong, it’s nearly impossible to consider the other side of the coin. There is still the possibility that the U.S. economy will grow faster than expected, and worker productivity, along with wages, will go up. In this case, corporate profits will improve. Broken supply chains may heal and even improve. Corporate America was forced to adapt and innovate to keep running during the pandemic, and this could result in a new wave of productivity as the pandemic finally eases. All of this could be more than enough to offset any harm caused by moderating interest rates. Please don’t mistake this for a forecast. I submit these potentially positive developments just as a reminder that not everything is doom and gloom. Markets have a funny way of surprising us – both down and up.

Jeffrey Brayton is a graduate of the University of Michigan and has an MBA from Wayne State University. He is the co-owner of Lakeshore Financial Planning in St. Clair Shores and has spent the last 29 years helping individuals and families clarify and work toward achieving their unique financial goals. For more information about Lakeshore Financial Planning, go to www.lakeshorefinancialplanning.com