McMinnville High School’s InvenTeam has won a $10,000 grant to develop a temporary housing platform for use after a natural disaster.
The award was announced today from the Lemelson-MIT Program, a national initiative to inspire young people to solve real-world problems through invention.
Selected from a national pool of school applicants, the inventions are intended to address social and economic challenges recognized in local communities that have potential global impact.
Beginning in June, each member of the InvenTeam worked between 60 to 70 hours, researching and preparing their proposal, according to team member Max Hadfield.
The after-school club includes (pictured from left) Maria Martinez, Pedro Gomez, Kristen Kepler, Mac Whitaker, Max Hadfield and Sky Smith as well as (not pictured) Drake Foss, Jamie Graham, Deborah Jackson and Sam Lopez. The team is coached by teacher MaryBeth Kramer.
“The idea is for a portable platform that would create temporary housing or a place to perform first aid in a disaster,” said Hadfield. “The platform folds and has adjustable legs.”
As part of the award, the InvenTeam will travel to Cambridge, Massachusetts next June to showcase their project at EurekaFest™, a multi-day celebration of the inventive spirit. The award includes housing and meals for six students. The team will begin fundraising for travel and additional team members, according to Kramer.