Rapid Online’s Young Inventors 2014 Competition

February 12, 2015 by Joanna Harrison

Cloud Machine wins Rapid Online’s Young Inventors 2014 Competition

The winners have been announced for Rapid Online’s Young Inventors 2014 Competition, which looks to find the UK and Ireland’s next big inventor.

Youngsters have been submitting their ground-breaking designs since October, with the winning invention picked out alongside four runner-up entries. The winner’s schools will all receive a LEGO Education WeDo Construction Set and a LEGO Education WeDo Software and Activity Pack.

Here’s a look at the winning entry, as well as the four runners up in no particular order:

Winner: Cloud Machine

Inventor: Jamie Daniel Norris
Inventor’s school: Saint Pierre School, Essex
The concept: The Cloud Machine is particularly beneficial in areas of draught, as it collects clouds over towns and cities experiencing rain showers and transports them to regions where the land is extremely dry.

Runner-up 1: Epilepsy Glasses

Inventor: Alison Browne
Inventor’s school: Kildimo National School, Kildimo
The concept: Epilepsy Glasses are designed to improve the lifestyles of those suffering from the condition. Blue lenses are fitted to the outside of the spectacles, with separate black lenses on the inside. This setup allows light flashes to be blocked by the glasses before they reach the eye, while still allowing wearers to see.

Runner-up 2: Life-giving Straw

Inventor: Max Best
Inventor’s school: Aysgarth School, Bedale
The Concept: The Life-giving straw aims to reduce the chance of people drinking diseased and dirty liquids. When someone takes a sip through the straw, microscopic filters and a sponge filled with safe-to-digest cleaning chemicals will clear the liquid of any harmful elements.

Runner-up 3: The Slider Table

Inventor: Lucy Mehta
Inventor’s school: Ashfold School, Aylesbury
The concept: Disabled and elderly people will be able to enjoy a more relaxing meal time with the Slider Table. The technology will allow them to eat wherever they are without their food, drinks, bowls, plates or cutlery moving around or spilling off the side.

Runner-up 4: Paste Brush

Inventor: Andrew Mason
Inventor’s school: Gaelscoil Osraí, Kilkenny
The concept: People can stay hygienic while reducing the amount of time they spend in the bathroom with the Paste Brush. The device is both a toothbrush and a place to store toothpaste. To put toothpaste onto the brush, simply squeeze the handle.

Take a look at visual representations of all five entries on Rapid Online’s Facebook and Twitter pages.