Minden Elementary's annual invention convention on Monday was a special day for sixth-grader Carlos Lopez, whose invention, the Dual Cane, was designed to help his mother Maricela Lopez, a former Minden Elementary playground aide who was critically injured in a head-on collision last February.
Lopez suffered injuries to her face, feet, legs and arms in the accident. She spent two months in Renown Regional Medical Center and another month in a rehabilitation facility before being released.
One night she was using a cane to walk through the house when Carlos saw her and conceived his invention.
"I was watching TV, and it was dark, and she came through with her cane, and I thought, 'It must be hard to walk with that in the dark,'" he said.
Carlos later fastened two small lights to the cane and a battery pack capable of powering the lights.
"It helps people who use a cane get a better view at night," he said.
The Dual Cane was one of 90 projects invented by kindergartners through sixth-graders for the school's annual competition. Minden Elementary teacher Lauren Hayes has been organizing the event for three years.
"More and more people from the community want to judge," she said. "We have 37 judges this year. They just wanted to participate and be a part of it."
Carlos wasn't the only student whose invention was based on a need observed in real life.
Fourth-grader Sierra Henrikson, 10, said her mother's boyfriend, who is in the construction industry, frequently goes to the hardware store to buy screws and bolts.
So Sierra created a cardboard model of what she believes could end those repetitive trips: The Builder Filter " a large filter into which building scraps are fed, broken down by flame, and reconstituted into screws, bolts, nails and other articles.
"I was thinking of those people who build houses and always have to go to town to buy something," she said.
By the end of the day, the 37 judges had decided the winners, and Carlos' Dual Cane took first place for sixth grade.
Kindergarten
First place: Lillie McKinney
First-grade
First place: Alley Rowden and Shelby Slobogan
Second-grade
First place: Ethan McKinney
Second place: Cassidy Vardas-Doane
Third-grade
First place: Nico Gervais and Zach Holt
Second place: Jonathan Ruppel and Mikayla Garrison
Third place: Maverick Duffy, Emily Steiner and Walker Resney
Honorable mention: Peyton Hedwall, Zach Romero and Hannah Mott
Fourth-grade
First place: Emily Muller
Second place: Eric Tompkins
Third place: Jasa Villanueva and Taylor Stokes
Honorable mention: Sierra Henrikson, Emma Sperry, and Flavi Lopez.
Fifth-grade
First place: Leah McKinney
Second place: Cappy Gilbert and Dallyn Malarchuck
Third place: Madison Harvey and Ashleigh Baldwinson
Honorable mention: Zach Rowden, Audrey Muller and Isa Basche
Sixth-grade
First place: Carlos Lopez
Second place: Paxton Roberson
Third place: Macie Tuell and Jillian Holcomb
Honorable mention: Carly Eller and Jessica Rose
