The elasticity of creativity in the minds of young inventors
Andrew Pelham from Brentwood, Tenn., hopes his Screen Stopper can keep people from using their phones while driving.
Rubber bands can serve a far greater purpose than being used as makeshift hand slingshots. That’s proven by the 8th annual Rubber Band Contest for Young Inventors hosted by the Akron Global Polymer Academy at The University of Akron.
This year’s contest involved 336 students from 22 states in grades 5 to 8. All were challenged to design and create a working invention/artwork incorporating at least one rubber band. Students had the option to compete in one of two divisions: Arts & Leisure or Science & Engineering.
This piece by Anne Beck of St. Louis, Mo., illustrates society pulling and stretching individuals to conform to its standards.
For their hard work and creativity, winners of each division received $1,000, while $800 went to each divisional runner up. Several other finalists in each division also received cash prizes, as did schools with the most student participants.
In the Science & Engineering division, Andrew Pelham, an 8th grader from Brentwood, Tenn., took first place with his invention “The Screen Stopper.” Pelham describes how today’s drivers are eager to use their phones as opposed to paying attention to the road.
“My invention, the Screen Stopper, prevents drivers from sneaking a peak at their phones by covering the screen and requiring both hands to remove the device,” Pelham explains. “I believe that the Screen Stopper has the potential to prevent accidents and save lives.”
In the Arts & Leisure division, Anne Beck, an 8th grader from St. Louis, Mo., won top honors with her artwork titled, “Does Society Have Pull?” Her piece touches on the constraints society places on individuals.
“We are who we are, not who society wants us to be,” states Beck. Her piece illustrates rubber bands around an individual’s wrist, waist and ankles. “The rubber bands are supposed to illustrate how society pulls and stretches you to conform to its standards.”
For more details on the contest, visit the Rubber Band Contest online.
Akron Global Polymer Academy
The Akron Global Polymer Academy provides opportunities for teachers and students of all ages to experience the exciting world of polymers through a variety of offerings, including in-school visits featuring engaging hands-on demonstrations, polymer family science nights, field trips to the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, and many polymer-related classroom resources available through the Akron Global Polymer Academy website. AGPA also connects with K-12 students through an assortment of STE (A) M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) initiatives.
For media: Photos of the top inventions are available upon request.
For more information, contact: Jason Miller at 330-972-2185 or jem50@uakron.edu.
Story by Lauren Collins