The Tech Club at Chatham High School placed third recently in the eighth annual Thomas Edison Invention Challenge for developing an inflatable orthopaedic injury device.
To a festive crowd of parents, students, teachers and invited guests, the winners of the Thomas Edison Invention Challenge were announced and celebrated at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park. The contest celebrated inventors from across the country. Twenty-eight teams across six states competed to make it to Edison Park for a top honors, run-off pitch contest. Six finalist teams, three in the middle school and three
in the high school categories, went head to head. Teams “pitched” their invention, in person, before a three-judge panel.
Jason Mariano, the advisor to the technology club at the high school, mentored the team of four students: Julia Lin, Kaitlin Pinaire, Kacper Bardecki and Thomas Giordano.
The team met during lunches and after school to go through the research, design, and innovation of an invention of their own. Their idea consisted of an instant inflatable ankle and leg brace to assist field and sport injuries in a quick and efficient manner. For placing third, the team was gifted new Arduino boards, 3D printing pen and new hand tools.
“The four students worked non-stop for months on this design that took them through developing a product, researching what exists and using the research to further develop their idea, creating videos, portfolios, a presentation, and an actual product,’’ said Mariano. “All of this work and effort is impressive and greatly appreciated. Every year, I always hope to find this type of dedication and independence in students to share these
competitive moments with.”