2024 Invention Contest Special Edition

The Inventionland® Education applied STEM inventing curriculum guides students through an entire course on innovation and invention. It follows the same industry-proven 9-step method used at Inventionland® headquarters, one of the world’s largest invention factories. School winners can compete in our Invention Contest, held at our world headquarters in Pittsburgh every May, either in person or virtually.

Elementary School 2024 Winners

🏅First Place: Awarded to TDT created by Malece Barber, Mila Coleman, and Elizabeth Hepler,

Ehrman Crest Elementary (Seneca Valley SD). This team developed a tool for individuals who have difficulty reading or are ESL learners. The “view” window size is adjustable, allowing you to move it over a line of text, which the device will read aloud. It can also assist with pronouncing any words you are struggling with.

Second Place: Awarded to HAP-C, created by Haley McConahy, Aurelia Sinichak, Piper Genaway, and Charlie Bhuchanan (Ehrman Crest Elementary). They created a floating, stacked beach chair with attachments. If you enjoy sitting in the waves at the water’s edge but don’t want drinks or yourself to move, there’s a stake in the back. For pet-friendly beaches, there’s also an attachment for your pet.

3rd place: Awarded to BDEL created by Brielle Voll, Destin Phillips, Eden Olayer, and Luciana Clouser from Ehrman Crest. They designed an innovative purse that holds more items and remains stable, preventing tipping or getting wet if something spills inside.

Middle School 2024 Winners

🏅First place: Awarded to Stirrup Step Down by Evelyn Reiber and Chloe Banner from Grove City Middle School. They designed a tool that attaches to a saddle stirrup, making it easier for riders to get on and off their horse compared to using a standard mounting block.

Second place: Awarded to The Berry Bone created by Allison Konopka, Violet Ostrum, Mackenzie Perschke, Billy Pfaffle, and Ashley Prouty from Ehrman Crest, Seneca Valley SD. They developed a 3D printed bone that attaches to a leash, opening to store treats and cleanup bags. This company also innovated flavored dog treats.

Third place: Awarded to Slope Surfer created by Brodrick Cratty and Jacob Gray from Grove City MS. The Slope Surfer offers an innovative way to ski or surf down a snowy mountain.

High School 2024 Winners

🏅First place: awarded to Helmet Heroes created by Matt Campbell, Christian Morrice, Bjartur Thorsson, and Ian Herring from The Kiski School. They designed a football helmet with sensors under the padding to track force of impact on a player’s head, connecting to an app for off-field monitoring during plays.

Second place: awarded to PrecipiGuard created by Elsea Moeller from Grove City MS. She designed a detachable guard to shield eyeglasses from rain.

Real Student Inventions Earn Licensing Agreements

Mia Mertz and Madison Mulato won their invention contest as 8th graders at Grove City Middle School in Pennsylvania. Their invention was so well-received that it earned them a licensing agreement. Their market-ready product launched at The Inspired Home Show in Chicago this year.

Middle School 2024 Winners

Do you know what else is amazing? The Amazing Lid, a product that students in the country of Jordan that also earned a licensing agreement. Their product was also unveiled at The Inspired Home Show in Chicago, an event that gathers buyers and sellers from over 120 countries.

Thanks for being with us on this wonderful journey of innovation.

Have an Idea? We’d Love to Hear from You.

Some of our very best ideas come from educators like you. If you have something you’d like to share, or an idea on how we can make our curriculum, projects or professional learning even better, please drop us a line.

“Students are on a mission, they are explorers… they are building their confidence. To me, we want to build up kids for life, not tests.” – George M. Davison, Founder and CEO of Inventionland

Inventionland® Education, 585 Alpha Drive • Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.InventionlandEducation.com