Kathy Grantham, Vicki Malley, and Brandy McCoy are Challenge teachers at PRCUE. They challenged their students to invent.
As a culmination to an Invention Unit on inventive thinking, the third, fourth and fifth grade Challenge classes at Pearl River Central Upper Elementary held an Invention Fair on December 12. During the nine week unit, students researched inventions and inventors, and also learned several creative thinking techniques.
Each student designed his own original invention and created a display which was shared with the judges, students and parents. The first place winners in each grade will be entered in the National Invent America Contest. Entries are judged on the basis of creativity, usefulness, illustration, communication of ideas and research performed. Each entrant has the opportunity to win $1000 US Savings Bond for first place, $500 for second place, $250 for third place and $100 for an Honorable Mention.
Previous winners have displayed their inventions at the Smithsonian, traveled to other countries to receive awards and had congratulations from the US President. Winners have also been focused on in popular magazines such as Reader’s Digest and on talk shows such as Oprah Winfry and been on the Today Show.
In the third grade, Breanna Hoezel invented “School Safety Light”, winning first place; Brandon Murray invented “The Fish Alarm”, second place; and Delaney Turner invented “Pet Secure”, third place.
In fourth grade, Seth Mitchell invented “Knuckle-Saving Wrench”, winning first place; Jenna Lee invented “Pet Door”, second place; and Deron Scarabin invented “Scent Technology Fish Tracker”, third place.
In fifth grade, Korey Kingrey invented “The Watcher on Your Wrist” for a first place win; Matthew Spiers invented “Golf Ball Locator” for second place.
The Invent America is a kindergarten through grade 8 program which is designed to develop thinking skills through analyzing and searching out creative solutions to various problems. Teachers are given creative tools to teach these skills which will prepare them to succeed in life.
Inventing things is a “fun, unique and proven learning tool”. It will help students self esteem, involve parents, encourge creative thinking, motivate students to learn, and develop and enhance library and research skills that they will need.