CINCINNATI — Students in K-12 from throughout Ohio were recently recognized in the 29th Ohio Invention Convention Virtual Award Ceremony & Celebration.
Those honored included two local students.
The competition was an opportunity for students to display their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills through prototypes they have invented. The annual event is backed by major technology sponsors, including the State Finals Title Partner, Honda.
The virtual award ceremony & celebration was hosted by Ohio Invention League’s Professor Prototype, with help from Ohio alumni student inventors and included a special guest appearance from Albert Lawrence, correspondent for The Henry Ford’s “Innovation Nation”, and included award presentations from company partners, Honda, Ohio Tuition Trust Authority and American Electric Power Foundation.
The keynote speaker was Kathi Vidal, Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Over $27,000 in CollegeAdvantage Ohio’s 529 Plan Savings Awards, from Ohio Tuition Trust Authority, were awarded. Each grade division’s awards included: Best of Show Edison ($2,500); Industry Innovator Awards ($400); as well as 1st through 3rd place in each grade category. Some of the state award-earning inventors will have the opportunity to participate in the 2023 Invention Convention U.S. Nationals at The Henry Ford.
Award-Earning Inventors from the Cincinnati and Southeast area:
• Industry Innovator Agriculture/Food, 6th-12th: Branson James Taylor, 6th grade, Blanchester, for “Food Filter”
• 3rd place in 4th grade: Carter Kaun, New Vienna, for “Dog-‘O-Dryer”
Industry Innovator Home Organization/Household Tools, 6th-12th grade: Ann Marie Davis, 6th grade, Oxford, for “No Issue Tissue”
Industry Innovator Sports/Games/Toys, 6th-12th grade: Luke Sarver, 7th grade, Wheelersburg, for “Change”
1st place in 3rd grade (team): Edison Egloff, Mount Orab, for “Kernie Katcher”
1st place in 3rd grade (team): Jack Martin, Cincinnati, for “Kernie Katcher”
3rd place in 5th grade: Beckham Carrasquillo, Cincinnati, for “Magna-Tie”
1st place in 9th-12th grade: Noah Warner, Chillicothe, for “Forging Hammer”
Honorable Mention: Kylie Karwisch, 4th grade, Hamilton, for “Super Untangler 3000”
Honorable Mention: Nathan Abner, 6th grade, Hamilton, for “The Drop Stop”
Honorable Mention: Isabele Garcia, 6th grade, Hamilton, for “Hot ‘N Cool”
This year’s event took place virtually, through live Zoom judging rooms, with judges from various industries. After students identified a problem, they used the design cycle to research, develop a prototype, then pitched their solution to over 140 industry professionals.
Their innovations solved problems from multiple categories, covering everything from health & medical, safety, pet care, to household improvements. At a time when the world is focused on solving problems, our student inventors continued creating solutions that can positively affect the lives of thousands.
Inventors were judged on their creative approach to solving a problem and prospects for viable enterprises in industry innovation.
“Educators, employers and policymakers agree that the U.S. must grow innovative thinkers and problem solvers in order to create a sustainable future,” said Invention League’s Abby Fisher. “To make this dream a reality, we need competitions in youth invention and entrepreneurship to drive more programs into schools and to excite and inspire students to invent new solutions to the world’s problems.”
Ginger Haynes with Honda of America said, “The Ohio Invention League’s Invention Convention program provides a statewide setting for young inventors and entrepreneurs from across the state to compete and be recognized for advancements in problem solving through invention education. Students develop design-thinking skills, cognitive flexibility, collaboration, critical and creative-thinking, as well as an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset.
“These 21st-century workforce skills are essential for society and employers, like Honda, as we continue to develop innovative products right here in Ohio.”
“Ohio Invention Convention is a year-round program supported 100% by sponsors and donors who realize the pressing need to add STEM-educated and invention-skilled youth to their respective workforces,” added Fisher, “and who are dedicated to inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and financial professionals by sparking students’ interests in STEM and design-thinking, invention and innovation.
”It is critically important for humanity to help provide tomorrow’s great minds with the skills needed to develop the future’s next-generation technologies.”
