Young inventors unite
Bizzie McKay, walks her daughter Sarai McKay across the stage to receive her third place ribbon for the Games and Gadgets, fifth and sixth grade category. The app designed by Sarai is called "Test Run." Sarai has cerebral palsy and attends Selle Valley Carden School, in Sandpoint.
ELLI GOLDMAN HILBERT/Press
The Rider family, clockwise from left: Declan, Cathy, Amy, John and Rory. Nine-year-old Declan explains the details of his "No Power Plane" to his family. His invention received third place honors in the Jules Verne category for fifth and sixth grade in the Invent Idaho convention held Sunday.
Fifth grader Julianna Schwam, describes the design benefits of her invention, the "Safe S'mores Shield," complete with a telescoping handle. "We tested out the invention and it went very good," Schwam said. "Nothing caught on fire."
Chaisie Schwab, a third grader at Bryan Elementary School, competed for her first time this year in the Invent Idaho competition, Sunday. Her invention, "The Bounce Mat," is something "in-between a trampoline and a gymnastics mat." Inspired by her enjoyment of doing gymnastics on the field during recess, Schwab's idea is to make gymnastics more comfortable to do, she said, at the North Idaho regional held at the Silver Lake Mall.
COEUR d’ALENE — For the Riders, the Invent Idaho convention is a family affair.
Nine-year-old Declan Rider, a fourth-grader from Spirit Lake Elementary School, created the “No Power Plane.” His brother, Rory, grandparents Cathy and John Rider, and aunt, Amy Rider, were onsite at the Silver Lake Mall on Sunday, listening to Declan’s project details.
“Fun fact, planes produce trails that will block in heat or coldness that contributes to the cause of global warming,” Rider said. “I didn’t want that to happen, so I made my solution.”
The “No Power Plane” doesn’t use fossil fuels and is entirely wind-powered, Rider said. Rider’s invention won third place in the fifth and sixth grade, Jules Verne category.
Though the technology to support Rider’s idea doesn't exist, his invention goes to show that even the youngest citizens of North Idaho have big ideas about the world they want to grow up in.
Invent Idaho is geared toward identifying a problem and creating a solution, said Beth Brubaker, Invent Idaho state director.
“I just love that they think about it and they care about the environment, people and society,” Brubaker said Sunday.
About 250 parents, teachers, students and family members gathered to peruse the many invention displays set up, before the awards ceremony at 3 p.m.
Winners from this round will join winners from two other Idaho regions to compete at the Invent Idaho State Finals. Boise regionals were held Saturday and the south-eastern region will compete on Feb. 11, Brubaker said.
Students from first through 12th grade are eligible to enter the competition, though this year no high school entries were received, Brubaker said.
Five categories are offered: games and gadgets, adaptations, non-working models, working models and the Jules Verne category.
Some problems being addressed by students are practical and often personal in nature.
People’s Choice winner Ava O’Sullivan also took third place in the working model category for third and fourth grade competitors. Her invention, “Pettro,” made the difficult feat of clipping her own dog’s toenails more manageable.
It is a bike-helmet design with a textured silicone pad attached to the top. The idea is that as the wearer of the helmet has their face toward the dog’s toes, the dog is busy licking peanut butter off the top of the helmet and remains distracted and more cooperative.
Winners not mentioned: Lina Linn, Best of Show, first through fourth grade; Charlotte Hober, Best of Show, fifth through eighth grade.
Non-working model: Jameson Whitcomb, Olivia Peterson, Anastasia Palmer, first and second grade; Hollyn Kramer, Emily Laddy, Scout Krajie, third and fourth grade; Aurora Ham, Kendalyn Bowlby, Selah McNiel, fifth and sixth grade; Adley Garwick, Naomi Platt, Ellie Freeman, seventh and eighth grade. Emily Knehans, Best of Category.
Adaptations: Winston Bell, Sadie Macleod, Emmalin Gamache, first and second grade; Ashlyn Jensen, Braden Burrows, Allison McCormick, third and fourth grade; Brower Lindgren, Kaylee Barnhart, Ava Farriester, fifth and sixth grade; River Kermelis, Rain Moyer, Jocelyn McFeely, seventh and eighth grade; Remi Palmer, Best of Category.
Working model: Branson Howard, Charlotte Hawkins, first and second grade; Autumn Schwam, Lawson Roberg, third and fourth grade; Miabella Craparotta, Addyson Gamache, Mackenzie Yaddow, fifth and sixth grade; Sam Wilson, Garrett Snyder, Brooke Williams, seventh and eighth grade; Matthew Gardner, Best of Category.
Jules Verne: Anderson Willingham, Halle Meier, third and fourth grade; Kiya Backman, Caleb Brumbach, Elizabeth Comstock, fifth and sixth grade; Mia Stroh, Best of Category.
Games & Gadgets: Berkley Walker, first and second grade; Karis Vatterrodt, Parker Green, Thomas Buckmelter, third and fourth grade; Sierra Meyers, Nathan Pyle, fifth and sixth grade; Daniel Gourley, David Schoeny, seventh and eighth grade; Jett Simkins, Best of Category.
Invent Idaho has been supporting creative and innovative young minds since 1989.
