Design on Display: Innovative Inventions Emerge from STEM-1

This spring in STEM-I, students created innovative products that can be used to solve our everyday problems. Students were also able to participate in the 2017 Inventors Challenge sponsored by AT&T and Imagination Foundation. Everyone's innovations will compete in this Inventor's Challenge. Last year, Annalise Groves ’17 won second place in the challenge, and this year, the students have created even more sophisticated innovations to present.

Most of our projects went through many stages of brainstorming, developing, and feedback. Here are some fascinating projects that were class favorites.

Switch Shelf---Kellyn Johnson

This is a mobile shelf created by Kellyn Johnson ’18. What’s innovative about this shelf is that it has roller wheels on the bottom and can be rolled under places such as beds and desks. This design helps people who live in cramped places create more storage space and can be made by just using jigsaws and wooden panels. The Imagination Foundation highlighted its very simple but clever design, combining two organization methods into one piece of furniture. Kellyn also won first place in the 2017 Inventor’s Challenge high school track.

Wall Mounted Google Calendar--Nick Leclerc

This is a wall-mounted google calendar created by Nick Leclerc ’17. This design helps people who want have a wall-mounted calendar that will update whenever you have a new event set up online. This calendar uses a small computer called Raspberry Pi and operates just like a laptop. It boasts a recycled laptop screen as the display and wooden panel around it for the base. Everyone in STEM agreed that this design not only functions very well, but also looks aesthetically pleasing on the wall.

Fishing WorkBench---Isaac Dinsmore

This is a homemade fishing bench created by Isaac Dinsmore ’17. Dinsmore cites his mother as his inspiration to make the bench, because she always throws away his fishing gear when it is not organized. This fishing workbench solves that problem by combining a wall fishermen can hang their equipment on and also a storage spot underneath to keep all fishing rods. This is one of the most time-consuming projects to produce, but Dinsmore was able to finish this and make the exterior look polished as if it had been manufactured by a company.

Quartz Light--- Ben Garfield

This is a homemade yard decoration light by Ben Garfield ’17. Garfield’s family has always had a passion for light, decorating their yard with beautiful lights during Christmas. Even though the lights increased the electric bill, Garfield’s family still kept them up until January. Ben decided to design an eco-friendly decoration light using just quartz rocks, a wooden base, a battery, and LED lights. This design not only will save a lot of money for people who want to decorate a large house or a yard, but it is also easy to set up.

Overall, students in the STEM-I class have created a variety of interesting and innovative projects that are unique to each of their personalities! Be sure to talk to Dr. Masoni and Ms. Keefe-Hancock if you are interested in joining the class next year. If you'd like to watch any of these STEM students' pitch videos for their projects, you can visit this Youtube link.