Jeffrey Siefker, a 6th grade student at Heritage Middle School, will represent Ohio at the 2017 National Invention Convention & Entrepreneurship Expo, which will take place from June 1-3. Out of more than 7,500 pupils who participated in local invention convention programs throughout the state this year, 75 were selected to represent Ohio at the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Washington, D.C. Just 300 inventors were invited from all over the United States.
This is an invitation-only event, hosted by the STEMIE Coalition, a non-profit organization that has affiliate Invention Convention education programs in states throughout the country to further inventing and entrepreneurship education in K-12 students. Each STEMIE Coalition Affiliate (in Ohio this is the Invention League) is allocated a certain number of invitations to extend to the best members of their respective programs. Due to the size of the Invention League, Ohio will have the largest delegation of competing youngsters. Original inventions that show promise in helping to create a sustainable future will be given consideration at this contest, along with other criteria.
By competing in his Invention League Local Competition, Siefker has proven to be an incredible problem seeker, researcher, designer, engineer and problem solver. He says the best part about inventing is “being creative and working to solve a problem.” His invention is called the Pocket Secure, which prevents items from falling out of pockets and keeps them safe from pickpockets.
The Invention Convention – a program of the Invention League – has been cultivating young minds across Ohio for 23 years. The program keeps growing and is no longer just an event but has morphed into a full-fledged experience that includes continuing education events for students, advanced support for educators, and national recognition that puts the State of Ohio in the pioneering spotlight.
The National Invention Convention and Entrepreneurship Expo is an event created by the STEMIE Coalition for students to showcase their critical-thinking skills through inventing, innovating and participating in entrepreneurial activities.