Project teaches kids to bring ideas to life

Sponge shoes were designed by one pupil so her mother can clean floors without bending over.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- Although their names aren't associated with the great inventors of the time, their inventions are unique and original.
"All she has to do is put on her shoes and start cleaning," Jessica Hillier, a fifth-grader at Girard Intermediate School, said of her mother's using the sponge shoes Jessica created.
Jessica, daughter of Scott and Donna Hillier of Churchill Road, is among 128 fifth-grade science pupils participating in the fourth annual Invention Convention at the school.
Open house
On Tuesday, pupils displayed their ingenuity. An open house was set for 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. today, and their inventions will be judged.
Because Jessica's mother has a sore back, Jessica invented the sponge shoes so her mother won't have to bend over to clean the floors. They consist of large sponges with strips of Velcro through them serving as straps.
"I learned you don't give up. I figured out how to get the Velcro through the sponges," Jessica said.
Amanda Hewitt, daughter of John and April Hewitt of Emma Street, came up with a portable baby station for changing diapers.
It contains diapers and a pad so a baby can be changed anywhere, Amanda explained.
Chris Notareschi, one of three fifth-grade science teachers involved in the project, said the inventions are unique.
Each pupil must contact five retail stores to determine if they sell any of the products. If so, they must come up with another idea and build and test it.
Researching inventors
But the projects don't stop with the invention, Notareschi explained, noting each pupil is assigned an inventor to research.
Jessica researched Clarence Birdseye, inventor of retail frozen foods, while Brittany Wieder researched Richard Drew, the Scotch tape inventor.
Notareschi said the research shows the pupils that inventors can be poor or disabled, but stubbornness is a common attribute.
Brittany, daughter of Mark and Sherry Wieder of East Kline Street, invented an automatic dog feeder.
With help from her father, Brittany constructed the invention for her dog, Muggsy.
Brittany simply flicks a switch and food is released from a hopper into a tray. Sometimes, Brittany said, Muggsy activates the feeder himself.
Helpful tools
Many of the inventions are designed to help others.
For example, Ryan Racketa, son of Carl and Chris Racketa of Lincoln Avenue, is the inventor of the Captain Hook. It weights down Notareschi's classroom audio-visual screen that won't stay down.
Not all the would-be inventions work out.
Ryan tried to develop a heated football before going to the hook.
yovich@vindy.com