Mehlville School District Invention Convention Draws Big Crowd

Every other year the fourth and fifth grade STRETCH (gifted program) students in the Mehlville School District become inventors. They identify a problem, invent something that solves the problem, take copious notes and test the product for its intended use. The final step is to display the project and the paperwork at the Invention Convention held this year on March 10, at the Witzel Learning Center at 3100 Lemay Ferry Road.

About 135 inventions filled the gym and the STRETCH classrooms on the second floor of the Witzel Center last night. Winners from several categories, chosen during a mid-day meeting of judges,  sported ribbons and certificates. The truth is that they were all winners. The display was a wonderful collection of clever ideas and the use of problem solving techniques. The variety of topics was very impressive. Everything from specialized dog walking equipment, a one-piece hockey gear outfit, a magnetic wristband to hold nuts and bolts, to foam rubber slacks for making roller-skating less painful.

According to the STRETCH program guidelines, “The Invention Convention was designed to encourage students to apply basic science skills in a creative and productive manner.”

The STRETCH staff members who assisted the young inventors and guided them through the discovery and development process are Dr. Scott Hayes, director, Linda Kernen, Mary Chura, Erin FitzWilliam, Kelly Seim and Julie Ziegler. All are specialists in working in the district’s gifted program and they excel in bringing out the best in their students.

Students, parents, grandparents, friends and staff members filled the halls, gym and classrooms. Most took the time to peruse the displays and read the accompanying paperwork. The proud young inventors were happy to explain their ideas and research techniques to the visitors.

If you had any doubts that the world’s problems might go unsolved, think again. There are more fresh ideas out there than you can imagine and plenty of budding inventors to bring them to fruition.

If you attended the Invention Convention, make a comment about your favorites.