Minden Invention Convention inspires adults

Rich Alexander, director of human resources for the Douglas County School District, was captivated by one particular invention at Meneley's annual Invention Convention on Thursday.

"I always wanted a hover board," he said, pointing out fourth-grader Max Owens' magnet-powered miniature Hover Board.

Alexander was one of two dozen volunteers from the community judging approximately 90 projects conceived by students in grades 2-6.

"They're pretty creative," said teacher Lauren Spires, who organizes the event. "A lot of them have personal inspiration."

In the entry form displayed above his project, Max revealed the source of his inspiration.

"I got the idea from the movie 'Back to the Future Part II,'" he reported. "There was a hover board in the movie. I thought with magnets, it might actually work."

Max's prototype was comprised of a long wooden base with strips of magnets laid in parallel tracks on the surface. Plastic walls on either side helped corral the small hover board in between, on which was seated an action figure, although a tap of the finger showed the board to be truly buoyant, not static. A look beneath revealed magnets attached to the board's underside.

"I used the repelling power of magnets to make the board hover," Max wrote. "I used rails to keep the board over the track."

The invention itself was only the centerpiece of the project. Like his classmates, Max considered additional factors such as probable uses and potential markets.

"It can be used for fun and enjoyment, like a skateboard," Max wrote. "It could also be used to move heavy objects."

Sixth-grader Annalisa Neal, 11, got her idea while hitting the slopes.

"One time, I was skiing with my auntie who was complaining it was really cold," she said.

She said they used hand-warmers in their gloves but had problems keeping the packets close to their skin.

Thus sprang Mitz, a catchy spin on the word "mittens." Annalisa fashioned velvety fabric into a mitt-like mold with corresponding finger straps and a Velcro latch system. The purpose, she explained, is to ensure hand-warmers are secure beneath one's winter gloves or mittens.

"It keeps them closer to the skin, keeps you warmer," she said. "Definitely anyone who skis or mountain climbs will love it. It might be different material because this is just a prototype."

Sixth-grader Chad Cale also invented a new accessory for the body, but for medical reasons instead of recreational.

"I got the idea for my invention because I needed a more convenient way of carrying my diabetes supplies," he wrote in his entry form. "My invention works by having pockets and straps that hold all my diabetes supplies so I can be hands-free."

Built of a pre-made armband, with elastic, thread, mesh and Velcro modifications, the Diabetes Arm Case allows for the inconspicuous storage of cleaning swabs, finger-prickers, lancets and testing strips.

"It hides underneath my sleeve, so it doesn't show, and I'm hands-free," Chad wrote.

Chad even visited the website of the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office to see if anyone else had pursued the idea.

"The closest thing I found was an arm case for fishing, and a diabetes case that connects to the belt," he reported.

Chad's invention impressed two engineers from GE Energy who were judging on Tuesday.

"My dad was diabetic," said Dave Shafer, an electrical engineer. "It's the same deal as what (Cale) says. My dad had to carry around this bag of junk with him."

Nate Littrell, an inventor who holds six patents himself, said a lot kids with diabetes have tried to address the same issue.

"This is the kind of thing someone would actually use," he said. "It's a sellable idea and a workable concept."

2nd grade

1st, Kennedy Cole, Friendship Time-Out Beads

3rd grade

1st, Jesse Meadors, Night Knob

2nd, Sydney Hust, Mood Clothes

3rd-tie, Hannah Campbell, Pedal Pusher, Amanda Shaffer, Daily Dose

Honorable mentions, Jocelyn Smith, Wonder Sheet, Shelby Slobogin, Talking Ears

4th grade

1st, Madelyn Boyer, Zip It Mom My Bed Is Made

2nd-tie, Bradley Haack, The Toe Grow Socks, Payton Nichols, The Laundry Ball

3rd-tie, partners Amanda Almeida, Jacob Lynch, Snow-Go, Megan Cruz, The Pooper Scooper

Honorable mention, Clayton Ogles, Forgot Something? Evan Raeder, Clean Sweep, Ethan Lee, The B.O.B. Bot

6th grade

1st, Chad Cole, Diabetes Arm Case

2nd, Brynn Rothfusz, Expand-A-Bowl

3rd-tie, Flavi Lopez, The Double Action Pellet Stove, Hunter Richardson, The Safety Alert Collar

Honorable mention, Natalie Smith, Burst of Flavor, Hannah Buckingham, Party In Ur Mouth