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Sixteen student teams selected as 2011-2012 Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams




In this age where kids dream of growing up to become rock stars or athletes it’s even more important than ever to inspire the next generation to become inventors, problem solvers, scientists and engineers. These are the youth that will help develop solutions that will improve lives, establish new and exciting products and companies, and provide leadership and prosperity for further generations.

It’s with that inspiration that we’re happy to celebrate the newest teams of students selected by our partners at the Lemelson-MIT program (L-MIT) as 2011-2012 InvenTeams.

Each of the 16  InvenTeams will receive up to $10,000 in grant funding to create and pursue a yearlong invention project addressing a real-world problem. This year’s projects include a natural disaster emergency relief filtration station, mechanical assist stair climber, and a portable medical support system. The diverse group of teams – including a KIPP charter school, Boy Scout troop,  4 – H Club, as well as private and public high schools – will leverage their distinct experiences and skills to develop their invention prototypes over the next eight months.

The 2011–2012 Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams and their proposed inventions are:

East

  • Bergen County Academies (Hackensack, N.J.): E-waste power generator
  • Boy Scout Troop 703 (Brevard, N.C.): Ergonomic bariatric rescue system
  • Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County/4–H Club (Westport, N.Y.): Bio-sand water filter
  • Eastern Regional High School (Voorhees, N.J.): Ultraviolet water filtration and storage device
  • Landmark School (Prides Crossing, Mass.): Desalination drip irrigation system
  • Sidwell Friends School (Washington, D.C.): Gray water electricity generator
  • S.S. Seward Institute (Florida, N.Y.): Portable solar-powered autoclave for sterility

Central

  • Troy High School (Troy, Mich.): Mechanically assist stair climber
  • Williamston High School (Williamston, Mich.): Offshore rip current alert system

South

  • Clear Lake High School (Houston, Texas): Portable medical support system
  • East Central High School (Hurley, Miss.): Solar dry heat sterilizer
  • KIPP Houston High School (Houston, Texas): Air pollution absorbing paint
  • Northeast High School (Oakland Park, Fla.): Natural disaster emergency relief filtration station

West

  • Bishop Kelly High School (Boise, Idaho.): Portable assistive writing device with magnetic damping
  • The Harker School (San Jose, Calif.): Aquatic thermoelectric generator
  • Lynden High School (Lynden, Wash.): Self-balancing recumbent trike

These projects are exciting among themselves, but will also help develop a passion for invention among the participating students and their peers. “The impact of InvenTeams goes far beyond each team’s project and school year experience. It can be life changing for some, as peer-reviewed studies have shown leadership in high school extracurricular activities leads to higher wages for young adults,” said Leigh Estabrooks, the Lemelson-MIT Program’s invention education officer.

Congratulations to all the students, the teachers, mentors and schools.