We’re firm believers that kids can change the world. In fact, there are kids doing it right now. So we’re sharing three kid inventors we’re absolutely thrilled to know about because their work is so mind-blowingly amazing, it gives us remarkable hope for the future.
(Yay, kids!)
What’s more, if you love what they’re doing, you can have a chance to “meet” them at the Kid Inventors’ Day celebration on January 17, when we interview them on Facebook Live, thanks to our sponsor Autodesk.
If you’re not familiar with Autodesk, check out their free, easy-to-use web-based tool Tinkercad that allows anyone ages 4 and up — yes, that includes us kids-at-heart too — to create super cool 3D designs. Actually, a couple of the kid inventors we’re going to introduce you to right now have used this interface to facilitate their amazing inventions.
So take a look at what they’re doing, share it with your kids, and get some questions ready for these inventors when you join us on the 17th!
Get more information on how your own kids or students
can participate in Kid Inventors’ Day, below
Alexis Lewis: Helping to save fire victims trapped in smoke-filled buildings
Alexis (at very top) has been using Tinkercad and a MakerBot 3D printer since she was 12, and most recently designed a patented Emergency Mask Pod (EM Pod), a lightweight smoke mask that can help save those in burning buildings while they wait for emergency rescue help. Whoa.
After hearing about a mother who threw her baby out of a 2nd-story apartment building, Alexis wondered whether there could be a way that emergency professionals could deliver smoke masks to people trapped on high floors of homes and buildings. And that’s how her EM Pod was born. With no skills or training required for use, the EM Pod, which can hold smoke masks inside, can be thrown up to people who are trapped and give firefighters the extra time they need to rescue them.
Now, Alexis gives talks about Inventing 101, everywhere from the Smithsonian to the White House. She always describes how simple CAD software and a 3D printer can help any kid at all turn what is possible into what is real.
Jakob Sperry: Helping kids and adults with ADHD
This amazing 15-year-old has been making and designing since he was very little, but it wasn’t until Jakob was 12 that he created the first iteration of GyRings, a fidgeting toy that can help those with ADHD channel their energy in a positive way.
He actually didn’t set out to make GyRings — in fact, he was just honing his CAD design skills. But as he tinkered, he discovered that his results were actually helping his own ADHD. That’s when he decided to continue refining it until it was just the right size and shape.
We’re really looking forward to seeing what he invents next, considering how well-received the GyRings have been!
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From our sponsor
If you’re looking for fun ways to get your children or your students excited about STEM, join in on Kid Inventors’ Day on January 17 with Autodesk.
Started a few years ago on Benjamin Franklin’s birthday, Kid Inventors’ Day was created to celebrate the achievements of our youngest inventors, and encourage more to get started on their own designs.
Inventing is something Autodesk knows a whole lot about; their free Tinkercad web-based tool has a super simple interface that can help even a young novice find success with 3D design. But in honor of Kid Inventors’ Day, they’ve also created a cool microsite that’s full of exciting activities, projects and inspiration — all completely free — that can be used at home or at school.
And for more inspiration, be sure to tune into our Facebook Live on January 17 at around noon EST with her own STEM-loving tween, Quinlan, who will have a chance to interview the kid inventors you’re meeting here.
She’ll even take questions from you or your children!
You’ll get the inside scoop on their thought process, how they design, what they’re doing now, and useful tips and tricks to help your own kids bring their ideas to life.
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Jordan Reeves: Turning a missing limb into a thing of joy
You might recognize Jordan Reeves, a smart 11-year-old girl with an upper limb difference. She made big headlines recently when at age 10, she designed a custom superhero cyborg 3D-printed prosthetic for herself, called Project Unicorn, that happens to glitter.
Yes, glitter.
This girl does not mess around. She’s like her very own Transformer!
She created the design at Superhero Cyborg 2.0, a very cool San Francisco event supported by our sponsor Autodesk, where kids with limb differences are able to work side-by-side with designers and engineers to create their own wearable devices.
If you haven’t seen the video of her invention, it’s a must-watch.
After the event, Jordan was paired with a designer mentor to help her continue to refine her idea, and come up with new uses for the arm-mount prosthetic — all of which we hope shoot glitter.
Our thanks to our sponsor Autodesk for helping get kids excited about making and inventing as part of Kid Inventors’ Day. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for Tuesday, January 17 at around noon EST to catch our Facebook Live with these kid inventors, plus check out free microsite to help you (and your children’s teachers) get kids excited about inventing and creating on this special day.
