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  • Sparking Young Minds with the Spark!Lab Invent It Challenge

Sparking Young Minds with the Spark!Lab Invent It Challenge

February 25, 2014 by Tricia Edwards

The Spark!Lab Invent It contest challenges children ages five to 18 to create an invention that solves a real-world problem. Here are some of the most memorable entries from the first two years.

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On January 17—which happens to be Kid Inventors’ Day—the Lemelson Center launched the 3rd Annual Global Spark!Lab Invent It Challenge. Hosted in collaboration with the Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access and ePals, the contest challenges children ages  five to 18 to create an invention that solves a real-world problem. Alone or in groups, kids must work through the invention process, identifying a problem, researching possible solutions, sketching designs, building and testing prototypes, and creating ads to sell their ideas.

Though this may sound a little daunting, young inventors have access to lots of support on the Challenge website as they tackle their projects. Past winners, including Alexis Lewis, are serving as Student Ambassadors, answering questions and offering tips to their fellow inventors. Questions like “Where did you get your idea from?” and “How do you know if other people have done your invention?” have generated great advice from the Ambassadors already. Other message boards allow kids to share invention-related books and websites with one another, and even share their invention ideas to get feedback from their peers. (That board doesn’t have any traffic yet, though. I wonder if kids are fearful of their great ideas being stolen…)

As we await this year’s entries (the contest closes on April 11, 2014), here’s a look back at some of the most memorable inventions from the first two years. If these are any indication, this year’s Spark!Lab Invent It Challenge will generate a collection of inventions that are creative, innovative, fun, and inspiring.

Solbrite.jpg

A young girl holds up her invention: The Solbrite.

The Solbrite.

The-Cycle-Umbrella.jpg

A young girl wears her invention: The Cycle Umbrella.

The Cycle Umbrella.

The-Hands-free-Safety-Straw.jpg

A young boy holds his invention: The Hands-Free Safety Straw.

The Hands-Free Safety Straw.

The-Heating-Bathing-Suit.jpg

A drawing of The Heating Bathing Suit.

The Heating Bathing Suit.

alexis lewis.jpg

Rescue travois.

The-Sports-Storing-Device-1024x750.jpg

A sketch of The Sports Storing Device.

The Sports Storing Device.

The-Sunshine-Hat.jpg

A drawing of The Sunshine Hat.

The Sunshine Hat.

The-Turbo-Skraper-1024x767.jpg

A young boy demonstrates his invention: The Turbo Skraper

The Turbo Skraper.

The-Vacuduster-1024x610.jpg

A sketch of The Vacuduster.

The Vacuduster. 

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