Young inventors ready for regional contest

By DEVIN WEEKS and

CAROLINE LOBSINGER

Staff writers

Among the more than 200 young Idaho inventors preparing their gizmos and gadgetry for the 30th annual North Idaho Regional Invention Convention, will be an excited group of Forrest Bird Charter School students.

The annual event is taking place at the Silver Lake Mall in Coeur d’Alene this weekend.

First- through 12th-graders from Moscow to the Canadian border will have their innovative ideas and creations on display for judges to review. The projects fall into five categories: working models, non-working models, adaptations, gadgets and games and Jules Verne, a special category for projects that aren't possible now but could be in the future.

Judges spend hours reviewing the documentation, imagination and research of the inventions. Awards are based on category and age group.

"The program is experiencing exponential growth throughout the state," state coordinator Beth Brubaker said Friday. "Idaho had one of the highest percentages of major award winners to number of attendees at the 2019 National Invention Convention last  year, including best prototype which was won by Quinn Holt from Coeur d'Alene as well as the Global Change Award, which was won by Katherine Barney from STEM Charter Academy."

At Forrest Bird, Jensen said the sixth graders were extremely excited to create the invention models, with seven of the students earning the right to compete at the regional competition this weekend. Among the students taking part this year from Bonner County seven sixth graders from Forrest Bird Charter School, who are competing in three categories: adaptations, Jules Verne (futuristic), and non-working models. Irelynn Jolley, Jailyn Weber, Gabe Herron, DeAndra Chandler, Grant Chouinard, Ava Glahe and Rachel Hudson are the inventors, charter school administrator Mary Jensen told the Daily Bee.

“Their inventions range from phone accessories to sleds with hot cocoa holders,” she said. “Two of the inventions are robots that solve the problem of trash in the ocean and one that can help kids with depression.”

The Forrest Bird Charter students’ inventions are:

- Irelynn Jolley invented the LuluDropit, which is a phone case with a retractable cord that keeps it from breaking if you drop it. She thought of it because her dad broke his phone dropping it on pavement.

- Jailyn Weber invented the Sip N’ Sled, which is a sled with a hot cocoa holder. She thought of it when she was sledding and didn’t want to go inside but wanted hot cocoa.

- Gabe Herron invented the Doraemon. It is a robot that can talk with someone feeling depressed and will know exactly what to say. He thought of it when he saw on the news that lots of people have depression and have no one to talk to.

- Grant Chouinard invented the Blubberfish, which is a robot that cleans oceans and the beach. He thought of it because his family was talking about how trash in the ocean is a big problem.

- Rachel Hudson invented the SWAP, which is a Secret Wallet and Phone case. It has a hidden wallet to keep your money safe and it protects your phone. She thought of it when she saw an eyeglass case that had a hidden wallet and thought teens would prefer a phone case.

- Ava Glahe invented the Mini Melon, which is a robot that picks up trash in the ocean and filters small plastic out of the water. She thought of it because she wanted to help the animals in the ocean that are suffering from all the ocean plastic.

- DeAndra Chandler invented the Cancer Scanner, which detects what type of cancer a person has. She thought of it because many people have cancer and she wanted to help them find out the kind of cancer faster to help them get treatment faster.

Formerly Invent Idaho, said explained that the program is rebranding back to its original name of Idaho Invention Convention. The program celebrates its 30th year this year.

The Coeur d'Alene event is one of three regional competitions that qualify students for the state finals, which will be held at the University of Idaho in Moscow in March. Best of show and best of category winners receive science kit awards, as well as an invitation to “pitch” their invention at the University of Idaho’s Engineering EXPO. Top inventors will be invited to the National Invention Convention at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich.

"Our ultimate goal is to develop a mindset within our young students for creative problem-solving as a way of life,” said North Idaho Regional coordinator Jennifer Hammond. "Just the way they think, thinking outside the box, seeing problems and finding solutions. And it might not be the first time around; it might be a process."

Hammond said this kind of program is empowering for students and propels the future of American innovation.

“It shares a vision — where all learners have access to innovation, invention and entrepreneurial learning to gain the confidence and skills to control their own destiny," she said.

The public is invited to view the projects from noon to close Saturday and all day Sunday. The awards ceremony will be held Sunday at 3 p.m.

The Silver Lake Mall is at 200 W. Hanley Ave., Coeur d'Alene.

Information: inventidaho.com