Timber Trail holds “Invention Convention”
Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) student Bray P. displays his first-place-winning invention, “The Pickle Picker” at TTE’s Invention Convention. TTE hosted the event to encourage students to learn more about simple machines as part of the science curriculum.
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett
Fourth graders in Douglas County learn about simple machines as part of their science curriculum. At Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) teachers also wanted them to learn a little something about making them. Fifth graders were invited to be a part of the action and the “Invention Convention” was born.
“We wanted to do something like a science fair, but with a fresh perspective,” said fifth-grade teacher Tony Greene. “If you do a traditional science fair, you end up with a lot of baking soda volcanoes – we wanted to make this a little different. We also really encouraged the kids to develop a ‘sales pitch’ for their inventions and we have asked them to give that pitch to visitors at the convention.”
Inventions ranged from household products like fly swatters (the Sani-Swatter, with disposable swatting surfaces to keep germs at bay) and lighted shoe racks. Other offerings on display: a specialized holder for Wii accessories and games, a hammock swinger, a lizard watering device to keep your pet hydrated while you’re on vacation, a popcorn strainer to separate popped kernels from unpopped ones, specialized cards for restaurant diners with allergies and a student desk organizer, tailor-made for students who have to pack up their supplies in order to take them home during their “off-track” periods.
“This is the first time we’ve done something like this and it’s gone amazingly well,” said fourth grade teacher Sarah Haynes who spearheaded the event. “We have had incredible support from the school’s staff and teachers as well as the TTEA (Timber Trail Education Association).”
TTEA funded a pizza party for all students who participated in the fair, as well as paying a substitute teacher to cover classes for Rocky Heights Science teacher Brian Hall, who served as the event’s judge.
First place at the convention went to Bray Polkinghorne, who used a novelty drinking straw and a plastic container lid to create a sort of strainer, dubbed the “Pickle Picker” to aid in the removal of pickles from the jar.
“I recycled materials to make the Pickle Picker, and they can be recycled again when you’re done using it, so it’s a green invention,” said Bray.
