Columbus-area Ohio Invention Convention student winners announced
Students in kindergarten through 12th grade from throughout Ohio recently were recognized in the 29th Ohio Invention Convention virtual award ceremony and celebration.
The competition was an opportunity for students to display their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills through prototypes they have invented, according to an Aug. 11 news release from the Ohio Invention League. The annual event is backed by major technology sponsors, including Honda, the state finals title sponsor.
More than $27,000 in CollegeAdvantage Ohio's 529 Plan savings awards were awarded. Each grade division’s awards included Best of Show Edison, $2,500; Industry Innovator Awards, $400; and first through third place in each grade category. Some of the winners are to have an opportunity to participate in the 2023 Invention Convention U.S. Nationals at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, Michigan.
Ohio Invention Convention award winners
Central Ohio school districts and private schools represented include Dublin City Schools, Olentangy Schools, Pickerington Schools, Worthington Schools, Columbus Academy, St. Brigid of Kildare School, St. Michael School and Ohio Virtual Academy.
Edison Award winner, grades 6-12: Anuki Mudalige of Lewis Center, sixth grade, Olentangy Schools, “Smart iVent System”
Industry Innovator Transportation Presented by Honda, grades K-5: Mary Plantholt of Delaware, third grade, Olentangy Schools, “Car Seat Coat”
Industry Innovator Transportation Presented by Honda, grades 6-12: Claire Rhodes of Powell, eighth grade, independent inventor, “ePark”
Industry Innovator Technology Wearables/Fashion, grades K-5: Gwen Khumprakob of Lewis Center, fifth grade, Olentangy Schools, “The Moodster”
Industry Innovator Technology Wearables/Fashion, grades 6-12 (team): Kaylee Gong of Dublin and Aanya Shah of Columbus, sixth grade, Columbus Academy, “OCULUS”
Industry Innovator Sports/Games/Toys, grades K-5: Graham Rechnitzer of Columbus, second grade, St. Michael School, “Holy Carp! Fish Rod Caddy”
Industry Innovator Manufacturing/Tools, grades K-5 (team): Aadhya Dave and Riaan Gajjar of Lewis Center, third grade, Olentangy Schools, “Glovester”
Industry Innovator Manufacturing/Tools, grades 6-12: Nithilan Murugesan of Dublin, seventh grade, independent inventor, “Gyrate-Helix Elevator”
Industry Innovator Health/Medical Technology, grades K-5: Nihal Bhattarai of Canal Winchester, fifth grade, Pickerington Schools, “Life Trail”
Industry Innovator Government/Public Safety, grades K-5: Vinoda Thiyagarajan of Lewis Center, fifth grade, Olentangy Schools, “Smart Mailbox”
Industry Innovator Government/Public Safety, grades 6-12: Ryan Rajan of Columbus, eighth grade, Columbus Academy, “Automated Storm Drain Cleaner”
Industry Innovator Earth & Sustainability, grades K-5: Sanvi Keskar of Delaware, fifth grade, Olentangy Schools, “Cafawaste X 2000”
Industry Innovator Earth & Sustainability, grades 6-12: London Andersen of Worthington, sixth grade, independent inventor, “Fog Harvesting Drinking Bowl”
Industry Innovator Education, grades 6-12: Thanish Boggula of Dublin, 10th grade, independent inventor, “VTrak”
Industry Innovator Energy presented by AEP Foundation, grades K-5: Christian Li of Lewis Center, fifth grade, Olentangy Schools, “Wind Turbine Plus +”, A Hybrid Energy Solution
Industry Innovator Energy presented by AEP Foundation, grades 6-12: Tarun Batchu of Powell, eighth grade, Olentangy Schools, “Trident”
Industry Innovator Consumer Goods, grades K-5 (team): Olivia Squier and Isabella Mowles of Powell, third grade, Olentangy Schools, “Soundtastic Animals & Pillows”
Industry Innovator Animal/Pet Care, grades K-5: Ryker Crabtree of Columbus, first grade, St. Michael School, “The All-Rodent Roll Bowl”
Industry Innovator Animal/Pet Care, grades 6-12: Shriyans Narsingam of Plain City, sixth grade, Ohio Virtual Academy, “The AquaAlert”
First place in grades K-1: Adrianna George of Powell, first grade, Olentangy Schools, “Cone Cutie”
Second place in grades K-1: Michael Bassett of Columbus, first grade, St. Michael School, “Twist-A-Bottle”
Third place in grades K-1: Penelope Cotterman of Canal Winchester, first grade, Pickerington Schools, “Glasses4Passes”
First place in second grade (team): Isaac Frost of Delaware and Theodore Nelson of Worthington, Olentangy Schools, “Venus Trash Trap”
Second place in second grade: Bella Mae Bender of Pickerington, Pickerington Schools, “Sleeve-in-Place”
Third place in second grade: Lucy Duffy of Dublin, St. Brigid of Kildare School, “The Sound Canceling Pillow”
Second place in third grade: Bryson LaPlante of Powell, Olentangy Schools, “A Run in the Sun”
This year’s event took place virtually through live Zoom judging rooms, with judges from various industries, according to the release. After students identified a problem, they used the design cycle to research and develop a prototype and then pitch their solution to more than 140 industry professionals.
Their innovations solved problems from multiple categories, covering such topics as health and medical, safety, pet care and household improvements. Inventors were judged on their creative approach to solving a problem and prospects for viable enterprises in industry innovation, the release said.
"Educators, employers and policymakers agree that the U.S. must grow innovative thinkers and problem solvers in order to create a sustainable future," Invention League's Abby Fisher said. "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 added, "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."
About the Invention Convention
The Invention Convention program, provided by the Invention League, is a free STEAM-aligned educational program and is the only pathway for Ohio students to the Invention Convention US Nationals and the Global Invention Convention, according to the release.
For a complete list of winners, go to inventionconvention.org/ohio/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2022-Ohio-Invention-Convention-State-Award-Winner-List-Fixed.pdf
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Columbus-area Ohio Invention Convention student winners announced
