Lakewood City Schools grabbed three of the top six prizes at the annual Cleveland Regional Invention Convention on May 11, including the Grand Prize. Sydney Heckeler, a fourth-grader at Emerson Elementary, took home the Grand Prize and a $2,500 and fifth-grader Evan Bell of Emerson and seventh-grader Damien Jouriles of Garfield Middle School captured first place for their grade levels, along with $500 scholarships.
Sydney’s invention, “The Hit Free,” entails using a small device installed near golf tees that senses if another golfer is too close and therefore in danger of being hit with a swinging club. In this case, the sensor’s red light would illuminate. If the area is clear for the driving golfer, the sensor gives the all clear green light.
Evan earned his first place with his “Remote Retriever,” which allows TV users to find their lost remotes by attaching the remote to a retractable leash. Damien’s first-place invention, “Paw Print Preventer,” consists of a low, cushioned platform with holes for four paws. When a dog comes in from outside and places all four paws in the holes, a treat is automatically dispensed from an attached container.
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Besides the three top prize winners, five other students submitted inventions for the competition, which included schools from seven Northeast Ohio counties. Three of those students earned a top 50 finish in their grade level and earned $50 college bonds: Emerson fifth-graders Claire Martin and Tully Worron and Garfield Middle School sixth-grader Gabby Murray. Emerson fifth-graders Alice King and Emma Hirsch also participated.
Sydney is the second Lakewood Schools student who has captured the conventions top prize. At the 2008 convention, current Harding seventh-grader Saige Rook captured the Grand Prize for her “American Chopsticks” invention.
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The students were guided by their teachers, Emerson 4/5 teacher Chris Karabinus, Garfield’s Jessie Holland and Harding Science teacher Ann Pesta. Retired 2/3 elementary teacher Maureen Marshall has been the district’s coordinator for the convention since it came to Cleveland in 2007.
The convention, which began 18 years ago in Columbus, inspires students in grades K-8 to create and problem solve. The students always come up with useful, if not sometimes crazy, and interesting solutions.