Liam Pope-Lau and Fraser Tuck invented the LifeHeat vest, which warms up in cold water!

Inventor photos courtesy of families; Shutterstock.com (background)

Think Big!

Do you have a great idea that might improve the lives of others? You don’t have to wait until you’re older to make it happen! Just ask these award-winning inventors. They’re using their creativity and problem-solving skills to bring their ideas to life. 

LIFE-SAVING VESTS

Liam Pope-Lau and Fraser Tuck

All kid inventor photos courtesy of families

Liam (front) and Fraser test out a pouch that holds the chemicals in a LifeHeat vest.

Vancouver, Canada

The Problem: Two years ago, when Liam was in sixth grade, he fell into the ocean during a sailing lesson. Luckily, he was wearing a life jacket—but the water was super cold! Liam and his friend Fraser wanted to find a way to keep people warm during water emergencies.

Their Solution: They created LifeHeat, a life jacket that provides extra protection in cold water. For two years, they experimented with different levels of chemicals that heat up in water. At one point, they thought they had a working vest. But when they tested it in cold ocean water, they quickly overheated. 

“It was a good sign that it worked,” Fraser says. “But it worked too well!” 

After further testing, the boys now have a working prototype that they have shown to a local company. They hope to sell LifeHeat to the public soon.

HEALING HEADPHONES

Leanne Fan

All kid inventor photos courtesy of families

These headphones treat ear infections!

San Diego, California

The Problem: Leanne’s mom suffers from painful ear infections. This inspired Leanne to create a device that could help her mom and others—and eliminate the need for expensive medicine. 

“Not everyone in the world has access to health care,” Leanne explains.

Her Solution: Leanne invented headphones that can detect and treat ear infections. She developed a smartphone app that connects to the headphones. If the app determines you have an infection, a special blue light in the headphones shines into your ear for 45 minutes. That kills the bacteria that can cause an infection. 

Why did Leanne pick headphones? The ninth-grader wanted something that would be easy to wear and allow kids to watch TV or listen to music while being treated. 

Last fall, Leanne won the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and was named America’s Top Young Scientist. She plans to use her $25,000 prize to further develop her invention.

A BETTER BOTTLE

Madison Checketts

All kid inventor photos courtesy of families

The Eco-Hero doesn’t look like other water bottles!

Eagle Mountain, Utah

The Problem: During family trips to California, Madison saw plastic water bottles littering the beach and the ocean. She wanted to find a way to reduce plastic pollution.

Her Solution: Madison designed the Eco-Hero, a water bottle that can be eaten so it doesn’t need to be thrown away! It took her about two months to come up with the right combination of chemicals to make a bottle.

There was a big problem, though—the edible bottle didn’t taste very good. To improve the flavor, Madison added some lemon juice to her formula. The 12-year-old has presented her innovative bottle at local, state, and national science fairs. She hopes the Eco-Hero will inspire others to find ways to help the environment. 

1. Why did Leanne Fan use headphones for her invention?

2. Why do you think Madison Checketts calls her invention the Eco-Hero?

3. Choose an invention from the article and describe a challenge the creator(s) overcame during the design process.

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