Never Too Young to be an Inventor: Kids' Day at the Invention Show
When Chester Greenwood was 15 years old growing up in Farmington, Maine his freezing ears prompted him to invent something to keep them warm. He made oval loops out of baling wire and asked his grandmother to sew pieces of beaver fur on one side of the loops and black velvet on the other side that would fit against his ear. News of his invention spread around town and soon his family created "earmuffs" for numerous townspeople. Eventually in 1877, Greenwood patented his design and his earmuff business prospered.
There are age restrictions on many things for children as they grow up. But anyone at any age can be an inventor, and INPEX, America's Largest Invention Trade Show is celebrating the creativity of young inventors. This year, INPEX is hosting a special day just for kid inventors on Saturday, June 11, 2005 from 12:00 till 4:00 p.m. at the Monroeville ExpoMart. Kids are invited to bring their own inventions to display at Kids' Day and have the opportunity to win cash prizes.
But you don't have to bring an invention to have fun! Some of the many organizations planning to host activities are: The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, which will have story telling with Tim Hartman and Professor MiGooch, who will also bring his musical cart with songs and games, The Washington Wild Things Professional Baseball Team which will feature their inflatable speed pitch machine, The Pittsburgh Riverhounds will test the kid's skills with their kick soccer game, plus fun activities with The Carnegie Science Center, The Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum and many more!
To prepare for Kids' Day, two INPEX employees, Susie Caleffe and Dorothea Kubacki visited the Invention Convention at Duquesne University in March. Over 200 students from area Pittsburgh Schools brought their inventions to display and be judged. As guest judges, Caleffe and Kubacki got to view many of the students' inventions and their presentations on how they came up with the idea, why they made it and what kind of research they did to invent it. Caleffe and Kubacki saw many different creative ideas while judging the inventions. "It was an inspiring day to see how creative the kids were, inventing so many different things," Caleffe said. After everyone had been judged the 24 winners in grades 1-8 were announced and awarded their trophies. Before the day was over, Caleffe and Kubacki invited all the kids to attend Kids Day at INPEX.
As part of its mission, INPEX wants to help children experience the joy of the creative process and cultivate the idea that anyone can be an inventor! Admission to Kids' Day is free for children 12 and under and $5 for 13 and up.
