Student Inventors at East Side Elementary in Bedford County Advance to Nationals

East Side Elementary School’s Invention Club had six students compete at the 31st Annual Invention Convention at Middle Tennessee State University on February 22nd. More than 700 4th and 5th graders from all over Middle Tennessee competed with an original invention where they showcased their working prototype, made a display board, and gave a presentation about their invention.
Kevin Galindo Garcia and Zariya Woods competed in the 5th grade “Making Life Easier” category. Their invention was The Underwater Mask, which was created with a small can of oxygen connected by oxygen tubing to swim goggles. This invention would be stored in the console of your car. In the event your car goes underwater, you would put on the mask and get oxygen for a short period of time until you are rescued.
With this invention, Garcia and Woods won the Eagle Award sponsored by the Clouse-Elrod Foundation, Inc. This award is presented to inventors who demonstrate the characteristics of an eagle, such as determination, perseverance, a passion for creativity, and problem-solving. They were given the opportunity to compete at the RTX Invention Convention U.S. Nationals 2024, which will be held at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, on June 5-7, 2024.
Addyson Brim and Jaxton Pilkington competed in the 4th grade “Games” category. Their invention was the Road Rally Emotion Race. Their game helps children learn to identify their emotions and make good choices. They received a participation certificate.
Tauriah Darden and Laury Hernandez competed in the 4th grade “Making Life Easier” category. They created the Happy Bracelet to help children stay safe. This invention consisted of two bracelets, one for the parent and another for the child, connected by cording. The invention included lights on the cord to see the child, a pop-it on the child’s bracelet, and a key ring on the parent’s bracelet. They received a participation certificate.
East Side’s Invention Club Sponsor and Special Education Teacher Lorie Richardson has been leading this club and its student members for over six years now. Rita Castelow, a retired school counselor for East Side Elementary, will join her in the club’s advisory role.
“My favorite part is seeing my students explore their ideas and gain confidence in themselves through project-based learning,” said Richardson. “I’m so excited every year to see what our students will invent; they are so good at thinking outside the box!”
“We are so proud of our creative, inventive East Side Explorers,” commented Principal Layne Talbott. “We will be cheering on Kevin and Zariya as they compete at nationals this summer!