Rutigliano Joins Trumbull Students at Invention Convention
HARTFORD – State Representative Dave Rutigliano (R-Trumbull) accompanied students from six Trumbull elementary schools last Saturday to UConn’s Gampel Pavilion for the 31st annual Connecticut Invention Convention, where his own son Joseph was among the participants.
The Connecticut Invention Convention is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the goals of promoting critical and creating thinking as they relate to product development. Trumbull’s students put forth inventions like dishwashing gloves that magnetically snap around the user’s wrists to prevent water from getting in, a backpack that gives the wearer a massage, and the cleverly named “I-sick-le,” a lollipop made with ginger root to help ease nausea.
“I saw some incredible presentations from our Trumbull’s kids today,” Rep. Rutigliano said. “There were some really ingenious solutions to everyday problems that highlight the smartness and creativity of these kids. I want to congratulate all those who made it to the competition and a special congrats to those who took home awards.”
Three fifth graders from Trumbull were recipients of special awards from sponsors.
Molly Bomann from Daniels Farm School took home the Boehringer-Ingelheim Life Science Award for a device to make applying eye drops easier, Brooke Eckdart from Tashua Elementary took home the Alexion Award for the previously mentioned I-sick-le pop, and Jensie-Rose Nichols from Jane Ryan School left with the Pitney Bowes Innovation Award for her truck training wheels.
24 other Trumbull students were awarded the title of “Recognized Inventor.” The schools represented were Tashua, Frenchtown, Booth Hill School, Jane Ryan School, and Middlebrook Elementary. In total, 170 schools and 770 students from around the state participated in the event.
Rutigliano, who managed to make it back to Hartford in time to join the debate on the State’s budget, is looking forward to returning in 2015.
“I was very proud of all the Trumbull kids today,” he said. “Hopefully we can repeat our success at the Convention again next year.”