Fourth and fifth grade students from Northstar Elementary recently participated in the annual Invent Iowa event. It’s a program that encourages kids to take a real-life problem and invent a way to fix it.
ELP Coordinator Tony Roozeboom says it’s a great learning tool for students as they have to do research to come up with original ideas, then make their projects come to life. While parents can help out with details that need adult supervision, students must create their inventions themselves. They must follow certain criteria when creating their inventions and are judged on how original their idea is, how workable it is, and how appropriate it is for their need or idea.
A list of all the Invent Iowa projects from Northstar Elementary students is available below and you can hear more on In Depth with Dr. Bob Leonard.
4th Grade:
Riley Bingham and Cassie Brooks – Advanced Guinea Pig Cage
Steven Metcalf – Baseball Holder
Reese Roberts and Kodi Cram – Guinea Pig Tutus
Holden Shinn and Beau Leisure – Hat Warmer
Jasmine Holbrook and Riley Mayfield – Head Warmers
Kirsten Palmer and Cassadie Billiter – Magic Hat
Ashley Kearney and Tayler Lovell – Non-Skid Shampoo Holder
Ashlyn Finarty – Paw Stopper
Shaylyn Black – Luminated Walker
Norah Pearson – Perfectly Proportioned Peanut Butter
Hayden Hudson and Larissa Wilson – Safe Sled
Kade Bellon – The Baseball Comeback
Results:
1st place – Ashlyn Finarty – Paw Stopper (this was designed to keep dogs from getting into the garbage)
2nd place – Kade Bellon – The Baseball Comeback (this was designed to pitch the ball into and it will roll the ball back to you)
3rd place – Shaylyn Black – Luminated Walker (this was designed to light up a walker so the elderly can see at night when walking across the house)
4th place – Steven Metcalf – Baseball Holder (this was designed to keep baseballs in a covered hole in the ground behind the umpire so he can get to baseballs when he needs them)
5th Grade:
Smith, Gracie 5 McRoberts, Hallie Cold Bowl
Mattox, Danielle 5 Wadle, Abby Dressy Bow
Kincaid, Kenzie 5 Lundeen, Brook Flashlight-Leash
Leonard, Johanna 5 Fold-a-loom
Mart, Laney 5 Streigle, Jadyn Hyd /a/ Warmer
Northway, Macy 5 No-More-Socks
Bacorn, Tara 5 Jones, Taylor The Magnet Line
McKinney, Malorie 5 Braman, Peyton Shovel Shuffler
Husband, Carter 5 Rowley, Gage Sled Warmer
Fay, Anna 5 Electronics Saver
VandeKamp, Ben 5 Heffron, Charlie The Ointment-Inator
Huyck, Bristol 5 Kearney, Tyler THS Gun
Bacorn, Tristan 5 Treadmill Desk
Results:
1st place Malorie McKinney – Shovel Shuffler (this was designed to spray deicer on the shovel to keep the snow and ice from sticking)
2nd place Macy Northway – No-More-Socks (this was a lotion that goes in gloves that you wear overnight to get rid of cracked hands)
3rd place tie Ben VandeKamp and Charlee Hefron – The Ointment-Inator (this was designed to put cream on a baby without getting your germs on the baby)
3rd place tie Gracie Smith and Hallie McRoberts – The Cold Bowl (this is designed to keep items cold in a bowl for long periods of time)
4th place tie Abby Wadle and Danielle Mattox – The Dressy Bow (this is designed to hold your bows, hair supplies, and earrings)
4th place tie Briston Huyck and Tyler Kearney – THS Gun (this is designed to keep you safe while hunting and use heat sensing equipment so you only shoot the animals you intend to shoot)
