DISL hosts first Region 7 Alabama Invention Convention Competition

by Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Invention Convention students headed to state
Six projects earned invitations to attend the upcoming State Invention Convention Competition at Auburn University on April 18. (Courtesy Cheyenne McRee, DISL PR Intern)

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab hosted the Region 7 Alabama Invention Convention competition on Saturday, March 7. The worldwide program, established in Alabama last year, helps students sharpen their problem-solving, communication, and creativity skills, preparing them to become tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and inventors.

Student teams comprised of 5th and 6th-graders from Eichold-Mertz Magnet School and J. Larry Newton Elementary School created the 22 projects presented at the competition. Students were judged on their live pitch to the judges and on the quality of their logbook, display board, and prototype.

Six projects earned invitations to attend the upcoming State Invention Convention Competition at Auburn University on April 18. The projects invited to the competition include:

  • The Flashlight Backpack, Jacob Lavie and Levi Brasfield, J. Larry Newton Elementary
  • Smooth Seal, Jon David Dendy, J. Larry Newton Elementary
  • Wrap Roller, Margot Powell and Hannah Scallions, J. Larry Newton Elementary
  • The Deep Clean, Kyla Thornton, Malia Kyles, and Charlotte Martin, Eichold-Mertz Magnet School
  • The Robounder, Kyler Vincenz-Gavin and James Watson, Eichold-Mertz Magnet School
  • Untangled, Jayla Hegel and Adylyn Catchot, J. Larry Newton Elementary
Invention Convention coastal cleaner
The Coastal Cleaner developoed by Chloe Le and Arya Sharma of Eichold-Mertz Magnet School earned the Dream Team award. (Courtesy Cheyenne McRee, DISL PR Intern)

Several projects also received specialty awards. Those include:

  • Shark Tank (most marketable) - Wrap Roller, Margot Powell and Hannah Scallions, J. Larry Newton Elementary
  • Dream Team (best display of teamwork) - Coastal Cleaner, Chloe Le and Arya Sharma, Eichold-Mertz Magnet School
  • Best Display Board - Pan Perfect, Sam Mouchett and Rachel Fiapu, J. Larry Newton Elementary
  • Best Prototype - The Flashlight Backpack, Jacob Lavie and Levi Brasfield, J. Larry Newton Elementary
  • Best Pitch - The Barrier Belt, Karson Murphy and Ca’Maia Dean, Eichold-Mertz Magnet School

The Invention Convention Program was successfully piloted in the Auburn area last year. This year, with support from the Alabama STEM Council, the program expanded statewide and is impacting 1,200 youth inventors representing 25 schools and community-based organizations across the state.