Fourth graders recently participated in the 2nd annual Moses Brown Invention Convention. The program challenged students to identify real-world problems and then design, build, and test original prototypes. This work culminated in a showcase at the YLab, where students presented their creations to an audience of peers, parents, faculty, and staff. To add a professional touch, a panel of judges—including an Upper School student, a staff member, and the parent of an alumna—circulated through the lab to evaluate the inventions and the students' presentations.

What did they invent? The YLab was filled with clever creations, including The Velcro Viper, which improves the fit and comfort of hockey elbow pads; the Multi Dog Bone for walking multiple dogs at once; and the Golden Holder, a desk-side cup holder designed to prevent spills. Other highlights included the Ex-Grippy (an extra-catchable football), the U.Vortex bowling ball cleaner, and the Bind Pack, which keeps backpack papers from crumpling. Students also tackled niche problems with the SpitCatcher for clarinet players, the Super Sweeper Supreme cleaning tool, the Knot Ninja, a mash-up of a hairbrush and detangling sprayer, and the Cup Clip, a clever attachment for food trays.

Thanks for sharing your inventions with us, fourth grade!