Two Perry Hill School students presented their inventions at the National Invention Convention at the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan during a three-day event May 29-31.
Alexander Baneat and Lucas Kellogg each earned honorable distinction at the Connecticut Invention Convention (CIC) held at the University of Connecticut, which launched them to the national competition.
Baneat, Kellogg and Elena Gasbarro were each selected during the Perry Hill School Invention Convention to move on to the CIC, an award-winning, internationally recognized, 501(c)(3) educational organization started in 1983 as part of the Connecticut Educators Network for the Talented and Gifted.
All three said they were happy to meet the fellow young inventors and enjoyed the experience of attending the state competition.
“I was nervous, but it was fun,” said Kellogg, whose invention was the Cold Clappers. “It was great to see all the other inventors.”
Baneat, inventor of the Clean Car Cape, said attending states and the national competition was exciting, and he was “satisfied” with his performance.
Attending states was even more special, according to Gasbarro, because she was joined by her grandparents to cheer her on.
“I was super nervous, but when I met all the other people like me, I realized I was not alone, and it made me feel better,” said Gasbarro, inventor of the Careful Candle. “It was intimidating, but I am so glad it went as well as it did for me and my friends.”
According to Perry Hill School Enrichment Specialist Angela Catone, the program is open to all students statewide, and is designed to develop, encourage, and enhance creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills through invention, innovation and entrepreneurship.
“Invention provides students with a unique means to discover new skill sets and creatively apply these in real-life settings while nurturing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” said Catone. “The CIC curriculum is standards-based and enables students to research, analyze and effectively focus on and solve their real-life problems.”
brian.gioiele@hearstmediact.com