The mother lode of invention: Students display array of devices, contraptions ahead of fair

Hannah Pembrook's morning routine can be frustrating.

"I have a spray bottle and a brush," she explained. "When I want to use the spray bottle, I have to pick it up, setting the brush down. Then I have to set the spray bottle down to use the brush."

But not anymore.

The 11-year-old collaborated with fellow Seeliger Elementary School fifth-grader Abbie Cowan, 11, to solve the problem.

They invented a hair brush with a spray bottle attached to the handle.

"It's a lot easier when you just have to flip it," Hannah said. "And it prevents messes, too."

The two are among about 15 fourth- and fifth-graders at the school who opted to make an invention rather than a science project for next week's science fair.

"They have all these ideas," said fourth-grade teacher Linda Csiga, who serves as the school's science fair coordinator. "This is an opportunity to find a creative outlet for them."

For four weeks, students have met after school to go through the process of invention, from conception to building a prototype.

On Tuesday, members of the club presented their projects to one another, answering questions and gaining feedback.

Most projects were inspired by everyday problems the students face.

Alyssa Risner, 10, has two cats, Fuzzy and Slim, with a tendency to overeat, which often leads to vomiting.

So she created the Handy Helper, a sponge coated in propylene and attached to a long handle.

"It absorbs the liquid and makes it easier to clean up," she said. "I did the long neck part so that you don't have to get too close, so it's less nasty."

Tired of getting wet from "sideways rain," Max Deeb, 11, invented a body protector made by attaching a clear shower curtain to the bottom of an umbrella.

Braxton Carter, 10, invented the Note Glove, a glove with holders for sticky notes and a pen, to circumvent the tendency to write reminders on the hand.

Quentin Powers, 9, addressed a common problem, as well.

"I always do this when I'm eating," he said, pulling his sleeve over his hand then running it across his mouth.

So he invented the Nap Strap - short for napkin strap - where he fastened a piece of bandana around his wrist.

"It's absorbent, and you can wash it over and over again," he said.

During their final session, students collaborated over last-minute adjustments and consulted on names for their projects.

"I'm still trying to think of a name," said Nia Hill, 9, who invented a diary alarm to alert the owner of any attempted snooping. "I came up with one, but it was really weird."

Winners from the inventors and science fairs will go on to compete at the regional fair March 29-31 at Lawlor Events Center in Reno.

Kiana Martinez, 10, who invented a dual ice pack and hot pack, said she was glad she chose inventing over the traditional science fair.

"With the science fair project, you do it, but that's it," she said. "This, you can actually use it once it's done. My whole family can use it. It's a big opportunity to make something and use it."