Student inventors in grades K-8 brought their solutions to everyday problems to the 2017 Ohio Invention Convention & Entrepreneurship Competition on Sunday, July 30, at the Ohio State Fair. Scholarships and prizes totaling more than $30,000 were awarded to young inventors for their creations at this state competition, a first in the 24-year history of the program.
A number of Westerville youngsters earned awards, some of which included scholarships from the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority’s Direct 529 Plan. Westerville City Schools winners were:
- Leo Fagge, grade 8, $500, Clay 3D Printer, Industry Innovation Award, Manufacturing;
- Natalie O’Brien, grade 4, $500, Playspace, Industry Innovation Award, Technology;
- Grace Eby and Madilynne Lansinger, grade 8, Colored SEE Salt, Top 10 Grade Level;
- Nicholas Cunningham, grade 7, the Toi-light, Top 10 Grade Level;
- Katie Pullins and Laiken Hendricks, grade 6, the Chew Shoe, Top 10 Grade Level;
- Aaliyah Mohammed, $300, grade 5, Magnetic Headphones, 2nd Place, Top 10 Grade Level; and
- Jackson Kelley, grade 2, Monkey Funner, Top 10 Grade Level.
All award winners in grades two and above are invited to compete in the National Invention Convention and Entrepreneurship Expo in Dearborn, Michigan, for the opportunity to earn additional continuing education scholarships, spring of 2018.
The Invention Convention is a K-8 STEAM program provided by the Invention League. Invention League is a 501c3 program aligned with the STEMIE Coalition of the National Invention Convention and Entrepreneurship Expo (NICEE).
A complete list of winners from the State Final can be found at www.inventionleague.org/events.