Problem solvers of tomorrow showcase ingenuity at annual competition

Young scientists and problem solvers of tomorrow showcased their innovations at the annual North Idaho Regional Invent Idaho Competition, held Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at the Silver Lake Mall.

With a mission to inspire, encourage and recognize students for their inventions, designs and creativity, Invent Idaho invites young inventors in first through eighth grades to use their critical thinking skills as they participate in progressive levels of competitions.

This year marked the largest regional competition for student inventors in the panhandle of North Idaho, with over 151 projects entered from multiple school districts and homeschool co-ops.

"The quality of this year's inventions is the best we have ever seen," Invent Idaho founder Beth Brubaker said. "Even the youngest inventors had solid research and original prototypes that could go to market today. The inventive spirit and entrepreneurship are alive and well in our Invent Idaho youth."

Categories include adaptations, working models, non-working models, gadgets and games, and Jules Verne, a fantastical category for projects too futuristic and fanciful to be judged against more practical inventions.

Student inventor Emily Laddy of Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy presented her invention, "Chair-mate," designed for young students and others who can’t reach the ground while sitting.

"My invention is a step that is attached to the chair to promote good posture," Emily said.

It was the Laddy family's fifth year participating in Invent Idaho.

"Invent Idaho has helped Emily with problem solving, creativity and critical thinking," mom Kim Laddy said. "Every year our daughter is excited for the new challenges the competition provides.”

Julianna Schwam entered "Pop-A-Squat" in this year's competition.

“Pop-A-Squat is designed as a multipurpose chair that serves two purposes in one unit, while eliminating the need to tote around two chairs while at sporting events," she said.

Her mom, Invent Idaho Regional Director Rachel Schwam, said she's excited for the future after seeing the ingenuity of this year's inventions.

"Our future is looking bright," she said.

Judge Blake Alfson said it's awesome to see how creative the students are and how much time and effort they invest into their inventions. 

"It’s truly an inspiration," he said.

Students who place at the regional contest will have the opportunity to compete at the state and national levels. Invent Idaho State Finals will be held May 1-2 at the University of Idaho in Moscow.

Here is how students from Kootenai County schools fared at the 2026 North Idaho Regional Invent Idaho Competition, with names of their inventions and designs:

ADAPTATIONS
Grades 3-4
First place: Adeline Hill, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "I Have a Microscope, Now What?"
Third place: Alexis Eastman and Weston Fournier, North Idaho STEM Charter, "The Blowy Vacuum"
Grades 5-6
Second place: Aurora Heath, Bryan Elementary, "Beat the Heat"
Best of Category
Luna Faulconer, grades 1-2, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "Bye Bye Burns"

JULES VERNE
Grades 1-2
First place: Addy Neary, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "The Germ Heart"
Second place: Jesse Reed and Caeden Bosch, Betty Kiefer Elementary, "Time Transporter"
Grades 5-6
First place: Thomas Duran and Sadie Wallace, Winton Elementary, "Color Cure"
Best of Category
Claire Borchert, grades 3-4, Winton Elementary, "Happy Cam"

GADGETS AND GAMES
Grades 1-2
First place: Eloise Granier, Fernan STEM Academy, "The Ring of Fire"
Second place: Rhaya Bramblett, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "Humans vs. Monsters"
Grades 3-4
First place: Gus Walker, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "Survive the Attack"
Second place: Everett Talbot, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "Pet Pro"
Grades 5-6
Second place: Colter Bodnar, Winton Elementary, "Race to the Crystals"
Third place: Aubrey Aherns and Scarlett Aherns, Fernan STEM Academy, "The Adventure Cleanup"
Best of Category
Kelly Snook, grades 3-4, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "Math Adventure"

NON-WORKING MODELS
Grades 1-2
First place: Kensley Jasper, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "ColEGGtor"
Second place: Clyde Nunn, North Idaho STEM Charter, "Swing 5000"
Third place: Mason Hubbard, North Idaho STEM Charter, "Solar Magnet"
Grades 3-4
First place: Griffin Adams, Atlas Elementary, "Bun N' Done"
Third place: Aksel Meyers, Eagles Nest Co-Op, "Magma Boot"
Grades 5-6
Second place: Asher Johnson, Winton Elementary, "Heart Plus"
Best of Category
Eleanor Granrud, grade 3, North Idaho STEM Charter, "Doggy Vending Machine"

WORKING MODELS
Grades 1-2
First place: Harlee Sullivan, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "Eggcellent Egg Cleaner"
Second place: Madelyn Griggs, North Idaho STEM Charter, "Magnet Pad"
Third place: Kensley Netting, Fernan STEM Academy, "Glow Bag"
Grades 3-4
Second place: Preston Britton, Atlas Elementary, "Energy Maker"
Third place: Joseph Wirick, North Idaho STEM Charter, "Joe's Bug Off"
Grades 5-6
First place: McKinley Helbling, North Idaho STEM Charter, "Knit Bot 300"
Second place: Xander Nilson, Atlas Elementary, "Thermal Twirl"
Third place: Ashlyn Hayden, North Idaho STEM Academy, "Backpack Carrier"
Grades 7-8
First place: Emily Laddy, Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy, "Chair-mate"
Best of Category
Michelle Cardiff, grade 5, homeschool, "The Huckleberry Bucket"

Best of Show, Grades 5-8
Ilajoon Boehm, grade 6, North Idaho STEM Charter, "Teddy Bear Sunflower"

High School
Amelia Thompson and Sophia Gustafson, grade 9, North Idaho STEM Charter, "Style Snap"

High School Grand Champion
Julianna Schwam, grade 9, Christian Center School, "Pop-A-Squat"

    Julianna Schwam, grade nine, Christian Center School, with her "Pop-A-Squat" invention during this year's North Idaho Regional Invent Idaho, held Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at the Silver Lake Mall.
  

    Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy middle schooler Emily Laddy shows off her invention, "Chairmate," at the 2026 North Idaho Regional Invent Idaho competition.