June 14, 2023 – Ingenuity was on display at the Connecticut Invention Convention State Finals on June 10 as K‑12 students from throughout the state presented their inventions and innovations. The competition included nearly 240 students representing over 70 towns. This year, over 11,000 Connecticut students participated in local and regional invention competitions.
Winners from Greater New Haven
Emily Coleman, 6th grade, Shelton
Award: BI Cares Foundation Award, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim
Invention: Hammertoe Helper Shoe
“This is a shoe with a unique sole designed to help people who have hammer toes, so they can walk with less pain. The sole has a cutout that gives the toes extra room at the bottom of the shoe, so that toes don’t rub on the top of the shoe, and if the toes are curled under, they don’t have to walk on their toes.” Video
Juliet Jones, 6th grade, Shelton
Award: Fire Marshal Award, sponsored by the CT Fire Marshal Society
Invention: Candle Guardian
“The Candle Guardian will prevent a fire from happening when having a lit candle. It uses an automatic piece that shut off the flame of the candle. It also has the added features of heat sensor, timer and glass lantern where the candle sits.” Video
Alisha Panchal, 9th grade, Oxford
Award: ASML Moving the World Forward
Invention: Smart Shoe Attachment (S.S.A.)
“The Smart Shoe Attachment solves the common problem of people slipping, falling, and getting injured on icy surfaces during winter. It is an innovative solution because the user does not need to bend to wear it, there is greater inertia, and it is time-efficient. You need less than 5 seconds to wear it!” Video
Julianne Twarog, 7th grade, Shelton
Awards: Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering Award; TRUMPF Award
Invention: Auto-Easy Door Opener
“After noticing the problem of spreading germs through the bathroom door handle, I came up with the solution to have a button on the floor that opens the bathroom door when stepped on.” Video
Lauren West, 7th grade, Shelton
Award: Science of Sure Award, sponsored by Hologic
Invention: The Epipendant
“The Epipendant is making safety stylish! It is an easier and more fashionable way to remember your Epipen when you go out to dinner or on vacation. It is a necklace with a case in the middle, like a charm and leather design that is interchangeable.” Video
“Problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity are vital skills for everyday life whether you’re in the STEM field, entrepreneurship, the arts, or beyond,” said Nick Briere, Connecticut Invention Convention Executive Director. “Connecticut Invention Convention participants are able to learn these skills and more through a fun, hands-on approach during the process of designing, producing, and presenting their inventions. It’s inspiring to watch these children excited to learn and discover solutions to problems they encounter and we can’t wait to see how they continue building on their skills into the future.”
Since 1983, the Connecticut Invention Convention, an educational organization, has encouraged Connecticut students to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills to solve real-world problems through invention and entrepreneurship. By utilizing these skills and lessons from their school’s STEMIE (STEM plus Invention and Entrepreneurship) curriculum, students create an invention that solves a problem in their lives. Their work culminates in this state final competition during which students will be recognized with awards and prizes for their efforts. The program is currently open to all of Connecticut’s K‑12 students and is rapidly growing.
“It’s truly inspiring seeing kids from kindergarten to high school be a force of good to creatively find ways to solve everyday challenges,” says Marty Guay of Stanley Black & Decker, the 2023 competition lead sponsor. “These young makers are taking steps to learn the best ways to solve the world’s challenges and we couldn’t be more proud of their efforts.”
More information about the Connecticut Invention Convention is available at www.ctinventionconvention.org.
