Techno Squirrels to the Rescue!

Innovative students from St. James have an new way to keep squirrels away from families' pumpkins and plants! They are involved in an international competition called First Lego League or FLL. Each year students in grades 4-8 are given a challenge. This year the challenge is to improve the interaction between animals and people. The team decided to focus on finding a solution to the problem of squirrels eating pumpkins and plants in gardens. Their team improved an existing invention that sprays squirrels when they come near. Unlike most automatic sprayers, it doesn't have to be staked into the ground, but it can sit on a flat surface if preferred. Other sprayers squirt water which might just annoy squirrels. SJS students' invention sprays peppermint oil or concentrate. The device can pick up motion from up to about 15 feet away! The is no worry about harming grass or the squirrels. The solution doesn't harm them, but it certainly keeps the them away! Throughout their experience the team operated under the FLL core values of celebrating discovery, teamwork, and gracious performance.