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What you need, they can invent Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Marshall Evans had one of the more practical devices on display at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School's annual Invention Convention Thursday. His Long Handled Toenail Clipper is designed to help people with bad backs keep their feet well-groomed. Lincoln sixth-graders put their brains to good use thinking up inventions to solve everyday needs By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Ashley Templar's little wiener dog was becoming quite a nuisance. "My dog was always coming into my bed, messing it up," said the 12-year-old Medford girl. Out of this inconvenience came Ashley's brainchild - a special indoor doghouse. Hers was one of 73 inventions created by sixth-graders at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School during the third annual Invention Convention held Thursday. And the blue-ribbon winners are Here are the blue-ribbon winners of Abraham Lincoln Elementary's third annual Invention Convention: Sierra Dawn , The Lion Sewing Center Zack Earle and Brooks Wilson , All American Shovel-eze Joe Ryan , Two Headed Tool Sophia McCleary , The Squirtbrush Michelle Hicks and Julie Gall , Fishing Buddy Ashley Chambers and Kelsey Cole , The Refriganizer Brooke Bitney , The Chopper Stopper Marshall Evans , Long Handled Toenail Clipper Tony Barbieri , The Automatic Clothespickerupper Grant Russell , The Backpack Buddy Brittney Dalton , Helping Hand 2001 Adam Zoll , Homework Helper K.C. Bretania , K.C.'s Quick Pull Kyle Sletmoe and Cameron Cote, Cozy Ears Jordan Staff , Light Bulb Remover Jordan Rigby , Bubble Trouble With her dad's and grandpa's help, Ashley built the doghouse with a removable lid for easy cleaning and then completely enveloped it in carpet for comfort. But the coziness of this little house was not immediately apparent to her pooch. "My dog was scared the first time he went into it," Ashley said. "He ran away the first time. I had to go and find him." It took her two weeks to make, but the suggested retail price, she calculates, is about $15 to $20. Ashley and the other students got a firsthand feel for the pains an inventor has to go through in turning concept into creation. The students made everything from spider squashers and doggy showers to horse hoof picks and ear muffs for dogs. They sewed, welded, glued, taped and sawed. They made use of an assortment of poles, fabrics, metals, plastics and even kitchen cleaners. Things to help animals, such as the doggy shower, were popular, as were menacing bug killers, such as the Insect Stopper 4000. "Every year, you don't know what to expect," said science teacher Anne King. Students were judged on everything from functionality to how well they marketed their inventions. Those who received the highest marks are eligible to enter the Craftsman Contest, sponsored by Sears, Roebuck and Co., where they can compete for a $10,000 savings bond. Most of the students' ideas were born out of a practical need. Marshall Evans, 12, of Medford said his dad hurt his back and couldn't bend over to cut his toenails by himself. It was Marshall's Long Handled Toenail Clipper to the rescue. Marshall fashioned his invention with a 3-foot pole, a bicycle cable, a lever and some toenail clippers. "It cost me $9.96 to build," he said. "I could probably make one in about three hours." Marshall estimates that in order to make a decent profit, he should sell it for $15 to $20. Crista Minneci, 11, of Medford created a small tool caddie out of a large coffee can, surrounded by smaller cans to hold screws, bolts and little things. "You can take it up when you're on the roof for Christmas lights," Crista said. She got the idea when her dad was working on a shed in their yard and she saw the need for a lightweight, portable tool holder. Crista estimates the retail value at $15, but she's not ready for mass production yet. "We're not going to be selling it this year," she said. "We didn't have enough coffee cans." Krysten Cooper, 11, of Medford likes slumber parties, so she decided to make a carry-all case that would hold pillows, pajamas, a toothbrush, toothpaste, CDs, movies and popcorn. Krysten's suggested retail price of the Slumber Bag: $15 Why make a slumber bag? "I like to be really organized," Krysten responded. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.