April 23, Chagrin Falls Intermediate School held the 2019 Invention Convention in the middle school cafeteria, from 4-5 p.m.
Ohio Invention Convention
April 23, Chagrin Falls Intermediate School held the 2019 Invention Convention in the middle school cafeteria, from 4-5 p.m. Any interested CFIS fourth- to sixth-grader was able to participate in the program. The following students were identified as the 2019 State Invention League Competition qualifiers: Katherine Rosner (grade 4), Claire Rubin (grade 4), Maggie Watson (grade 5), Quinn Perkins (grade 5), Andrew Broz (grade 4) and Brennan Coley (grade 4).
The following outstanding inventions were submitted for consideration: “Mellon Holder” by Katherine Rosner, “Adjustable Comfort” by Claire Rubin, “Rein Rescue” by Maggie Watson, “Self-Rocking Chair” by Quinn Perkins, “Broz Skinz” by Andrew Broz and “GOOD TASTE Mouthwash” by Brennan Coley. These six students were selected from all of the students enrolled in Invention Convention within CFIS this year. They have been invited to participate in the 2019 Ohio Invention Convention state final to be held on July 28 in Columbus. Registered students, selected to represent their school, district, homeschool group or independent inventor group in grades K-12, from throughout Ohio, will present their prototype solutions to a problem they identified throughout the day on July 28.
Student inventors will compete for College Savings Awards provided by CollegeAdvantage Ohio’s 529 Planand invitations to the 2020 National Invention Convention and Entrepreneurship Expoat The Henry Ford.
Ella Beatty, a current fifth-grader, is preparing to participate in the 2019 National Invention Convention to be held at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Mich., May 31- June 2. She qualified for the 2018 State Invention League Competition as a result of her invention, “Rememberlet,” created during the 2017-18 school year. Ella won first place and the Edison Award at the 2018 State Invention Competition, which granted her 2019 National Competition access and a $2,500 college scholarship through Ohio 529.
“We are extremely proud of Ella and her work,” said Principal Sarah Read. “Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools wishes Ella the best of luck at the 2019 National Invention Convention.”
While Invention Convention was first offered as a course within the CFIS STRETCH Enrichment program designed for cognitively gifted students, this program grew significantly in the 2018-19 school year. Access to the program was offered to all fourth- through eighth-grade students, extending beyond the STRETCH program. The program encourages students to identify a unique problem, research existing solutions to the problem, and design other creative and innovative ways to solve the problem. Students are challenged to create a prototype of their invention, identify the audience for their invention, and consider marketing strategies. Students must be prepared to present their invention verbally while using their created display and prototype.
Inventor Nikola Tesla once said, “I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success.”
The Invention Convention experience truly yields this thrill for Chagrin Falls’ students.
“All students who competed in the 2019 CFIS Invention Convention are to be celebrated for their hard work and innovative spirit,” said Director of Curriculum Becky Quinn. “Chagrin Falls Intermediate School teachers Amy Acton and Patrick McArthur are to be commended for their efforts in supporting Invention Convention students via the STRETCH Program and Matt Volk is to be commended not only for his efforts with students via the STRETCH program, but also in growing the program to include any interested CFIS students in the 2019 Invention Convention.”
Mock Trial State Showcase
Twenty Chagrin Falls Middle School students participated in the Mock Trial State Showcase at the Supreme Court of Ohio on May 3. More than 47 schools and over 500 students participated in Trials based on the novel “Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry.” Students acted as witnesses and attorneys arguing cases involving their characters and conflicts from the novel. Middle school students read and analyzed witness statements, then work collaboratively to develop questions and arguments for the prosecution and defense. Students learned about the legal process and developed teamwork strategies, critical thinking, argumentative writing, speaking and presentation skills. Congratulations to seventh-grader Clara Ives for being awarded “Best Witness,” and a special thank you to Bridget Brennan and Judge Rose for being legal liaisons and mentors to the CFMS team.
Lawyers were Sofia Clark, James Wilkinson, Tommy Brennan, Samantha Holtz, Ella Snyder, Kate Stephenson, Hannah Digiampetro and Avery Polcar
Witnesses were Clara Ives, Isabel Nerpouni, Liam Butler, Cole Kilby, Nick Rhode, Sofia Maas, Maya Rooney, Chase Johnson, Jason Cheng, Grace Svette, Alex Wheatley and Lindsay Schumacher
Gurney’s Tower Gardens
The students at Gurney Elementary School have been using their green thumbs to plant and harvest their own vegetables and herbs. Students have been using Tower Gardens to grow various lettuces including bibb, romaine, swiss chard, kale and arugula. They have also grown herbs such as cilantro, basil and parsley.
The students began by planting seeds and watching them grow into seedlings under lights. They then transferred the seedlings into the Tower Gardens. These gardens are aeroponic growing systems that use air and water to help plants grow. After three to four weeks of planting, students were able to harvest their greens.
First-grade teacher Julie Albrecht was awarded the money for the Tower Gardens after applying for a PTO grant in 2017. In addition to Albrecht’s efforts, Gurney parent volunteer Shannon Hoch has helped maintain the Tower Gardens for the past three years. She helps set up, clean, water and feed the plants in the garden. Gurney Elementary now has six Tower Gardens and students have learned about the plant cycle, healthy foods, sustainability and the fun that can be had from growing a garden indoors.
Classrooms celebrated their harvest by having a salad party. Students were even able to take home the greens to share with their own families.
CFHS Tigers of the Semester
The Chagrin Falls High School “Tigers of the Semester” Award is presented to students who exemplify a positive attitude, work ethic and service to fellow students and teachers at the school. Teachers nominate one student from their classes that impressed them with their achievement, attitude, hard work, willingness to help others and growth during the semester.
Second semester Tigers were honored on May 3. The event was sponsored by the Interact Club.
Congratulations to Nick Angelino, Sophia Avery, Gabe Ayala, James Barrett, Paelyn Benz, Olivia Brandt, Celeste Bunker, John Campbell, Audrey Charlton, Gigi Clarke, Mary Condon, Julia Crandall, Sam Crandall, Belle DiFranco, Maddie Ferguson, Eric Feucht, Bobby Fischer, Leo Fornara, Lucy Fricke, Carmine Giannattasio, Grace Hoy, Eamonn Hunter, Niah Johnson, Joey Keys, Kat Lechman, Eva Levine, Matthew Miller, Paige Nightwine, Austin Pawar, Madeleine Pulte, Sarabeth Rutkowski, Keanu Sherman, Conner Siggaard, Robert Snider, Matthew Suzelis and Mary Kate Varga.
