OTTUMWA —
At the Invention Convention, judges say one of the things they like to look for is the invention’s usefulness.
The event featured items both kids and parents could use.
For example, while playing outside, Madison Brandt, a Seton Catholic School student, noticed it was so cold, even her hat wasn’t enough protection. So she ironed Velcro to the inside of a bright orange stocking cap, then used a piece of cloth to make pockets. The two pockets held activated handwarmers.
The inventor tested the product on her little brother. And it was a success.
The experimental portion is important. There’s more to the requirements than just having an idea or even putting it into practice. Judges want kids to do the work in a scientific manner.
One inventor documented her scientific method during the course of developing an idea that could be popular with kids.
While there are almost certainly moms and dads who enjoy hopping on the trampoline with their friends and coworkers, that tends to be a younger person’s pasttime.
Ashlyn Ware, a sixth-grader at Evans Middle School, did what the rules call for. First, she discovered a problem she wanted to address.
Trampoline jumping with friends when it starts getting late can be dangerous, a little scary and somewhat inconvenient. Fellow jumpers may not notice each other in the dark and collide. Plus there are animal noises in the country location where the trampoline is set up.
Next, judges want kids to come up with ideas. Ashlyn thought of different types of lights that could be strung outside, and that would easily wrap around parts of the equipment.
During the process, students are required to document their work. For example, back at the Hot Heads display, Madison had pictures of her putting the hat on her little brother.
After writing up an “inventor’s log” of their process, students are then able to display their ideas at the Invention Convention. But the job isn’t over at that point.
Judges carried clipboards, and asked questions of young inventors at Ottumwa’s Invention Convention. The dozens of tables had young people around them — and the judges.
Other inventions Tuesday included a light-up dog leash good for safety and fashion, a warming hat that could also conceal lunch money, a comfort sled with padding that allows kids stay out longer and a three-pocket plastic bag so if you have to have leftovers, the green beans won’t mix with the mashed potatoes or the meat loaf.
Ottumwa
Related Photos
-
Madison Brandt, 10, of Seton Catholic School, displays her idea at the Invention Convention held at Ottumwa High School on Tuesday. The inside of the hat has pockets to hold hand warmers for those cold winter days. Mark Newman/The Courier
January 30, 2013
Young inventors demonstrate creativity at Invention Convention
- Ottumwa
-
-
Stabbing trial pushed back
OTTUMWA -- The trial of an Ottumwa man accused of stabbing another man to death has been pushed back. Twenty-year-old Brandon Seim was charged in November 2011, when he was 18, with the stabbing death of Andy Madren, 34. When officers arrived at the
- Downtown beautification supplemented with utility vehicle OTTUMWA -- A new utility vehicle will soon be zooming around downtown, making sure the rights-of-way remain in pristine condition. At Tuesday's city council meeting, council members approved the purchase of a city-owned vehicle to maintain downtown l
- Tornado creates local questions OTTUMWA — If there's a tornado in Wapello County, where would I go afterwards? It isn't hard to understand why local callers are asking Wapello County Emergency Management that question. Josh Stevens, emergency coordinator for the county, said since
-
Training goes beyond fires
OTTUMWA — Our firefighters aren't afraid to run into a fire, said one official, but when it comes to a Hazmat situation, they walk. On Wednesday, the Ottumwa Fire Department was on the grounds of Cargill Meat Solutions, training as realistically as p
- Veterinary clinic rezoned to commercial OTTUMWA -- The Ottumwa Veterinary Clinic is now officially a commercial district. At Tuesday's city council meeting, members voted 4-1 to approve the rezoning of the clinic from R-1 Single Family Residential to C-1 Commercial District, with Councilma
- Ottumwa lands 2015 Iowa Tourism Conference OTTUMWA — It takes two southeast Iowa communities to yank the opportunity to host the Iowa Tourism Conference from Des Moines. Ottumwa Area Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Mark Eckman was stunned by how quickly the Iowa Tourism Offi
-
Barber shows no signs of cutting career short
OTTUMWA -- Darrell Smith's hands are steady and sure as he picks up his clippers and straight razor to begin his first haircut and shave of the day. Smith, 88, has cut hair for 62 years and has owned Smitty's Barber Shop on Albia Road for the past 58
- Roaring winds Southeast Iowa in clean-up mode after storm passes through OTTUMWA — Work crews in and around Wapello County put in a lot of hours. And they were ready to do it again. “We had the storms roll through there last night,” said Ryan Stensland, a spokesman for Alliant Energy. “Down in southeast part of the state,
-
Flood debris removal up for consideration
OTTUMWA — A month after heavy rainfall caused rivers and streams to flood Ottumwa streets and homes, the city council will solidify a plan to remove the debris left behind. At the council's meeting tonight, members will consider awarding the $12,500
-
Reviving downtown's upper stories
Building by building, the upper stories of downtown Ottumwa are coming back to life after some have sat empty for half a century.
- More Ottumwa Headlines
-
