Clearview Elementary was packed with people, displays and inventions Feb. 3 as the fifth graders showed off their creativity and imagination during their annual Inventor’s Fair.

 

The excitement was high in the three fifth grade classrooms as students eagerly explained and demonstrated their inventions, which ranged from practical to fun.

 

In Mrs. Coultier’s room, Braeden D. explained his “Portable Knee Hockey Organizer,” which consists of three tubes, one to hold the right stick, one to hold the left, and one to hold the balls.

 

“My mom was getting sick of all my stuff laying around, and I didn’t want to lose my stuff,” he said when asked why he invented it.

 

Kyla W. invented the “Super Sofa,” which has the TV remote attached to the armrest, because her family always loses the remote. Amanda K. said she’d come up with her invention, “The Onion Net,” to prevent people from crying when they cut onions.

 

Caleb M. explained his “Survivor Blanket,” which has spots for a flashlight, a 10-hour hand warmer, rope and a first aid kit, the back of which is waterproof. He said he invented it to help people stay safe.

 

Out in the hallway Blake N. demonstrated her “Wheel-omotive,” which works like a train with the rider’s arms acting like pistons. She said it allows people to go up to 10 times faster than in a regular wheelchair.

 

Next door in Profesora Maria’s room, Ian B. gave a very professional presentation on his “Motion Mailbox,” a mailbox that lights up when the door is opened. 

 

“590 million pieces of mail are delivered each day,” he said. “The problem is you can’t see your mail if it’s dark, you have bad eyesight, or the envelope is dark. The Motion Mailbox helps people make sure they don’t miss any mail.”

 

Libby H. invented the “Shroom,” a shovel and broom combination.

 

“I thought it would really help with ice and snow,” she explained. “It’s lightweight so it doesn’t hurt your back and stands up by itself.”

 

Amado S. created the “Super Pencil Box and Sharpener,” or SPBS for short, to help him be organized and so his pencils wouldn’t fall off his desk. Along with room for pencils, erasers and glue sticks, it has a detachable pencil sharpener, a built in ruler, and non-slip fabric on the back so it won’t slip off his desk.

 

Over in Mrs. Palmquist’s classroom, Ayden A. explained his “Fishing Handle” that helps prevent fishing string from cutting into a person’s fingers, and Abby S. demonstrated her “Water Brush,” which she invented to solve the problem of hair that’s staticy.

 

Two students created inventions for cat owners. Liliana C. invented “The Hunting Cat Toy” for cats who want to hunt but can’t. After the cat finds a mouse toy hidden around the house, he drops it into The Hunting Cat Toy and a treat comes out.

 

“It’s very simple,” she said. “I just taught my cat how to do it in 10 minutes last night.”

 

Cameron B. created the “Cat Plate Holder” so if a person feeds their cat off a paper plate it won’t slide all over. A grip on the top holds the plate in place, and a grip on the bottom ensure it won’t scratch surfaces.

 

“I have a cat who’s smart and holds the plate down with a foot, and two who aren’t and their plates slide all over,” he explained as to how he came up with the idea.

 

Hands-on projects like building inventions encourage curiosity and help kids develop interest and enthusiasm for math and science.