Problem prevention at the Dist. 59 Invention Convention in Des Plaines
Kristin Hahn, advanced language arts and social studies teacher, and her eighth grade students hosted the second annual Invention Convention at Friendship Junior High School in Des Plaines.
For "Problem Prevention at the Invention Convention," students were asked to create something that improves society, in either their own lives or those of others. A digital inventor's log was created where they recorded their progress and their thoughts and feelings about the creation process. Students also made a digital photo scrapbook that showed the various iterations of their inventions. On the evening of Jan. 20, they came together as a group to present their work to parents, family members, and the community.
The students quite adeptly tackled some interesting dilemmas, as the top three inventions clearly illustrate.
First prize winner Brandi Middendorp invented the Quean, a quick cleaning floor sweeper that picks up small toys such as Legos. Second place winner Eden Gorevoy created the Page Turner, a device wired to turn book pages with a foot pedal. Third place winner Emilia Gibes built the Relaxing Intent, a tent designed for relaxation.
The winners were selected by parents and community members who attended the event and voted for their favorite inventions.
Hahn, along with retired Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59 teacher Jayne Wilkins, helped secure donations for prizes and for the event. Both noted that the event was bigger and better than last year.
"I loved to see the pride and confidence on student faces as they presented their products to visitors," Hahn said. "Nearly 20 of my former students from last year's Invention Convention came back to support this year's students, and last year's top three winners presented the awards to this year's top three."
Art Fessler, District 59 superintendent of schools, views the Invention Convention as a great opportunity to learn.
"The Invention Convention is a unique opportunity that allows District 59 students to practice being an entrepreneur," he said. "The ability to recognize, select and then create a solution for a real-life problem or gap in services is a powerful, authentic learning experience that reinforces the importance of real-life problem solving, collaboration, and learning."