Bayshore Elementary young inventors shine at Edison Regional Invention Fair
Bayshore Elementary students have produced incredible inventions in the last few months, and participated in two inventor events – the school’s own Invention Convention with many then going on to the Thomas A. Edison Regional Invention Fair.
Their work ranged from a floating bath dog seat to mouthwash gel for air travel to burrito paste. Two of the students won top distinctions at the prestigious Thomas A. Edison Regional Invention Fair held at the Harborside Event Center, one garnering a $1,000 college scholarship award.
Earning special awards at the regional event were Hannah Robbins and Cassidy Hitzing.
Robbins won big for her Sticky Fish Ball idea, noted as Special Award Winner, Lindbergh Foundation for the $1,000 college scholarship, along with a certificate and ribbon.
Hitzing was the fourth Place Trophy Winner with her Floating Bath Dog Seat. She received a Target gift card and an annual family pass to the Imaginarium.
Other young inventors and their works included Parker Vanemmerik, mouthwash gels; Chad James Chastain, The Fire Chair; Anthony Luis Cruz, GPS Tag; Trey Anthony Sirianni, Ice Cream Catcher; Collin Matthew Tumbarello, Mosi Stay Away; Piper Ann Matsumoto, Whipper Snapper; Zachary Ryan Holden, Zacks Laundry Bin; Christina Helene Boyko, The Notched Bagel; Logan Van Vliet, Clear View Book Mark; Kayleigh Brown, Pet Friend; Arlen Ray Caglioti, Burrito Paste; Michael Anthony Kraus, Fryer Tongs; Daniel Cole Baer, Adjustable Ladder; and Kyle Dwain Busbin, Critter Catcher.
“I’m always proud of my students, and these two girls who won (regional) are a reflection of the quality work we do here,” said Principal Lynn Herrell. “They are outstanding students and deserving of recognition.”
“The Bayshore Invention Convention and Edison Inventor’s Fair is a platform for Bayshore Elementary schoolchildren to demonstrate communication, thinking and problem solving skills through the art of inventing,” said science teacher James Guffey, Jr. “It is also an opportunity to recognize students for creative problem solving, and provide our students with the opportunity to meet, compete, and collaborate. Also, many elementary students and their parents experience their first real opportunity to compete in an academic competition.”
He said the fifth grade students spent a lot of time preparing for the regional competition. “They all improved their presentation boards, prototypes, inventor’s logs and their oral presentations after our Bayshore Invention Convention in November. They gave the best they had to give and that’s really all we can ask of our students, isn’t it?
“It was in this process of Invention that they discovered the innate human ability to make something real and tangible from the tiny spark of an idea that they had on their own,” he said. “It was in this act of invention that they made their parents, school, community and themselves proud.”
He said Principal Herrell is a tremendous supporter of her staff and students. “Being at Bayshore Elementary is the high point of my 20 years in education. I love being a teacher here.”
He said he could not be more proud of the kids and talked about his view of Bayshore Elementary.
“In my opinion it is the finest school in Lee County. Our whole school community is so very special and our parents are super supportive here. Children can do and achieve anything when they have parents like ours.”