Bright ideas net awards for students

By ANDREW POTTER, TIMES-REPUBLICAN
Two Marshalltown fourth grade students put their ideas into action and were recently rewarded for their effort.

Jacob Ramsey-Smith of Rogers Elementary and Ellyn Boland of Fisher Elementary both made inventions that won “Most Meritorious” award “ at the State Invention Convention in Iowa City April 5.

Both are students of Marcia Plett in the enrichment programs at the schools.

Ramsey-Smith invented what he calls the “Sled Saver,” which is a durable plastic sheet that can go underneath Styrofoam sleds. It is made of the same type of material that is used on the decals of cars at the Marshalltown Speedway.

He said he got the idea by seeing how cracks and rips on Styrofoam sleds make them not as effective as new ones.

“The rips cause friction,” Ramsey-Smith said. “I thought putting on a sheet would reduce friction and help the sled run smoothly.”

Boland’s invention is called “Stroller Handle Extenders,” which helps taller people push strollers without having to bend over.

She said she got the idea after seeing her mom, who is tall, get frustrated pushing a stroller. The extenders are made of PVC pipe and have clamps to attach to the stroller.

Boland said she enjoyed learning about the parts of the invention and she explained she has had ideas on inventions in the past but never acted on them until now.

“I’ve always had ideas of things in my brain but this is the first time I’ve made one of them,” she said.

Both students received a $50 U.S. savings bond. They were among just 20 of the 400 students that competed at the event to win awards.

Plett said both students did a good job of researching before building their invention. Boland interviewed personnel in the baby departments at a couple of stores and Ramsey-Smith did research through a hardware store in town and the speedway.

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Contact Andrew Potter at 641-753-6611 or apotter@timesrepublican.com