District 196 Inventors Fair Showcases Apple Valley Student Ingenuity

Nearly 400 fourth- and fifth-grade students from throughout District 196 took up the challenge to create inventions that solve real problems for the district's Inventors Fair, held on Saturday at Eagan High School.

This was the fair's 24th year.

Noah D., a fifth-grader at Greenleaf Elementary School in Apple Valley, saw a doormat that buzzed and decided to make the Nomat, for indoor use. The Nomat buzzes when it is stepped on and, he said, “will alert parents, [for example], if a child gets out of bed."

Jesse L., a fourth-grader at Highland Elementary School in Apple Valley, invented the adjustable Step on it Shoes to help short people reach the gas pedal and brakes. Jesse said he got the idea from a friend and went to work on a solution.

Although the Inventors Fair is sponsored by the district’s gifted and talented program, all fourth- and fifth-grade students were welcome and encouraged to participate, said Sue McDonald, gifted and talented teacher.

Volunteer judges awarded each invention points in nine categories, including the problem statement, quality of research and overall inventiveness.

The top 10 inventions with the most points were awarded blue ribbons. The names of all blue ribbon recipients will be posted on the District 196 website.

Also see Apple Valley Patch's with their inventions.