Inventing the future

They invented. They ignited. They innovated.

Results have been announced for the Invent Idaho State Finals, held March 1-2 at the University of Idaho in Moscow.

Invent Idaho is an annual invention program that invites first-through-eighth grade students from across the state to participate in progressive levels of competitions, including three regional contests and the state finals.

Since 1989, Invent Idaho's young inventors have used creativity and ingenuity to find solutions to issues in their world and to contribute their out-of-the-box ideas to the science and entertainment of tomorrow. Categories include adaptation, games and gadgets, Jules Verne, non-working models and working models.

Students who qualified at the state level will participate June 5-7 in the National Invention Convention at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich. Nearly 130 Idaho students participated in the state contest.

Here are Kootenai County's top young inventors for 2024:

ADAPTATIONS

• Second place, grades 1-2: Daisy Johnson, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Pillow Blower"

• Second place, grades 5-6: Allison McCormick, Lakeland Middle School, "The No-Choke Seatbelt" — advancing to nationals

• Third place, grades 5-6: Nora Owen, Bryan Elementary, "The Perfect Fit Safety Seat System"

GAMES AND GADGETS

• First place, grades 1-2: Ben Harding, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "Car Crash!"

• Second place, grades 1-2: Everett Talbot, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "Dog Poop Cleaner"

• First place, grades 3-4: Marina Myers, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "Forest Trails"

• Third place, grades 3-4: Magnolia Kim, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "Bunnyland"

• Third place, grades 5-6: Cannon Randklev, Fernan STEM Academy, "Will You Survive?"

• First place, grades 7-8: Lucas Schultz, Canfield Middle School, "Virtual Music Teacher"

JULES VERNE

• First place, grades 3-4: Hadley Wood, Winton Elementary, "Animal Paloosa"

•  Third place, grades 3-4: Finn Kirkbride, Winton Elementary, "AirTrip"

• Best of category: Hollyn Kramer, grades 5-6, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "GLYPHO-seek"

NON-WORKING MODELS

• First place, grades 1-2: Daniel Paul, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Back Massager Shirt"

• Second place, grades 1-2: Alexis Eastman, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Cart Kickstand"

• Third place, grades3-4: Cora Mihara, Betty Kiefer Elementary, "The Only Extraordinary Rake"

• First place, grades 5-6: Wilhelmina Kim, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "The No Spotty Potty" — advancing to nationals

• Second place, grades 7-8: Amelia Thompson, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Snow Safe"

WORKING MODELS

• First place, grades 1-2: Josephine "Seph" Willingham, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "The Paw Perfection"

• Second place, grades 1-2: Curran Oswald, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "The Grass Cleaner"

• Second place, grades 3-4: Solomon Hernandez, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Guardian of the Plants"

• Second place, grades 5-6: Emily Laddy, Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy, "Snuggled Up"

• Third place, grades 5-6: Lily Yang, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "The Triple Mitt"

• Second place, grades 7-8: Nolan Vogan, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "AIM (Argument Identifier Monitor) App"

BEST OF SHOW

• First through fourth grade: Grayson Mueller, grades 3-4, Summit Christian Academy, adaptations, "The Magnetic Light Hanging Kit 2000"

• Fifth through eighth grade: Elizabeth McCormick, grades 7-8, Lakeland Middle School, Jules Verne, "Drink-A-Drop" — advancing to nationals

    Hayden Meadows Elementary student Wilhelmina Kim is seen with her Invent Idaho project, the "No Spotty Potty," during the state competition March 1-2 at the University of Idaho. Wilhelmina qualified to participate in the national Invention Convention in June.
 

    North Idaho STEM Charter Academy student Hollyn Kramer and her "Glypho-Seek" invention qualified to advance to the national Invention Convention in Michigan in June.