Connecticut Invention Convention

Connecticut Invention Convention

Celebrates Kid Inventors' Day on January 17

With Announcement of

Young Inventor Of The Year Competition

January 15, 2020 -- Hartford, CT -- Since its founding 37 years ago, the Connecticut Invention Convention has been a catalyst for over 300,000 K-12 students to innovate. In fact, the Connecticut program is longest-running of its kind and is a model for the global network known as Invention Convention Worldwide. Participating students have gone on to win awards, receive patents and bring their inventions to market.

This year, in honor of National Kid Inventors' Day on January 17, the Connecticut Invention Convention is launching a Young Inventor of the Year Award. A short list of Connecticut youth inventors has been chosen by a panel of judges to be showcased on the organizations social media every Wednesday and Saturday starting January 22 through April 18. The winner will be chosen based on the number of comments, shares, and likes they receive on our social media.

The award comes with a $500 cash prize and will be honored at the state finals, taking place on Saturday, May 2 at the University of Connecticut.

"This award is a celebration of talented and bright young inventors from across the state and an opportunity for us to increase awareness of their achievements," said Carol Scully, Executive Director of the Connecticut Invention Convention. "Our program gets students involved in authentic, project-based learning while demonstrating creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking — all important 21^st Century Skills.”

Inventors that will be showcased during the Young Inventor of the Year Award program:

Issac Fitch, 6th grade, Washington Depot: No Freeze Chicken Water

Stephanie Sanborn, 5th grade, Shelton: Duo Divider

Emily Bohn, 5th grade, Stratford: The Yark H.A.K.

James Carroll, 7th grade, Hebron: Measuring Cup 2.0

Mark Feeney, 7th grae, Broad Brook: Smart Stand

Gianna Calabrese, 8th grade, Watertown: The Cone-Server

North Ackley, 7th grade, East Hartford: Dark Doodler

Tyler Consolati, 7th grade, Norwalk: Vacuum Snake

Ravindu Karunaratne, 5th grade, Hamden: Temp-Plate

Arjun Parimi, 6th grade, Danbury: "Blow Away" Power Spray (BAPS)

Siena Jamieson, 3rd grade, Canton: Doggie Dribble Protector

Leo Southam, 8th grade, Shelton: The Bubble

Noble Ackley, 4th grade, East Hartford: Ice Annihilator

Arianna Anderson, 7th grade, East Hartford: Epic Mask

Adeline Thompson, 7th grade, Easton: Crutch Comfort

Emily Walls, 5th grade, Bristol: 2-Go Safety Belt

Anvi Bose, 5th grade, Rocky Hill: WatchEm'

June Steffenson, 2nd grade, Manchester: Fighting Freedom

Hannah Kravet, 6th grade, Windham: Bodyguard Binder

Riley Shove, 4th grade, Manchester: Pour-O-Matic 5000

Josie Steffenson, Kindergarten, Manchester: Super Spritz

Anishka Vejendla, 3rd grade, South Windsor: i-Chair

Luke Sanborn, 7th grade, Shelton: Eyelet Enforcer

Sean Harren, 8th grade, Ledyard: Climate Control Vest

Kyle Young, 12th grade, Shelton: Clean Screen

Sophia Wang, 11th grade, Woodbridge: Real-Time Sinkhole Detection Device

"Now more than ever, we need to prepare students to be creative problem-solvers. In fact, we have a duty to encourage our students to think differently," Scully said" "As a result of the program, we see students tackling some of the most important issues of our day, and the future."

In 2020, over 17,000 students are expected to participate in the Connecticut Invention Convention program at their schools, in regional competitions and at the state finals. The program is one of the most diverse of its kind, with over 50% female and 25% minority.

"Invention education fills a necessary void in American education, bridging the STEM and Humanities with Entrepreneurship and Workforce Development programs," Scully added, "teaching students the must-have skills in problem identification, problem seeking and problem solving, and how to apply the engineering design and design thinking processes to creatively invent solutions to these problems."