Two Winneshiek County student inventors selected for state competition

Gavin Thorson, a third grader from St. Benedict School, invented the BG Scooper, a shovel specially designed to pull ashes out of a wood burner.

Two student inventors from Winneshiek County have been selected to the field of 19 finalists at the 2013 Invent Iowa competition April 20th in Ames.

St. Benedict School third grader Gavin Thorson and North Winneshiek School fourth grader Maria Hendrickson have already won $100 for being selected as finalists.

April 20th at Iowa State University six of the finalists will compete for six $500 scholarships to the college of engineering at Iowa State or the University of Iowa.

Gavin Thorson invented the "BG Scooper," a backwards shovel designed to make life easier on the farm.  Gavin says, "It was always so hard to shovel out the ashes from our wood burner.  So, I thought, if the shovel head was turned backwards, I could reach all the spaces and clear it out with one pull.  My dad helped me make the scooper.  It works even better than I thought it would.  We use it all the time."

Maria Hendrickson invented "Ho-o-ld Your Horses," adaptable reins for disabled horseback riders made from recycled feed bags. She says she got the idea after volunteering at Thunder Road, a therapeutic horseback-riding program outside of Decorah.  "I invented the reins because I wanted to help Thunder Road kids and also my disabled cousin because I know they like to ride but have a hard time holding onto the reins.  I like to see kids' happy, surprised faces when they get to ride a horse for the first time."
 
Robyn Dayton's "Paper Pliers" invention received an Honorable Mention Award and she will receive $50.

St. Benedict's School student Dylan Muhlbauer also received Honorable Mention and $50. 

Maria Hendrickson, a fourth grader from North Winneshiek School, invented "Hold Your Horses," adaptable reins for disabled horseback riders.