Young Inventors Present Their Prototypes

Now in its twelfth year, the Charles C. Gates Invention and Innovation Competition challenges Cardigan’s sixth and seventh grade students to invent practical solutions to real problems or to develop new business opportunities. The program is designed to encourage creative thinking, risk-taking, an entrepreneurial spirit, and to develop an appreciation for hard work and accomplishment.

During the Spring Family Weekend, months of tinkering, trial and error, and hard work came to fruition. At the Gates Expo in Turner Arena, students presented more than 30 prototypes of unique innovations were to their peers, teachers, and parents. The boys explained their concepts, demonstrated a working model of their inventions, and detailed how they would bring their product to market.

This year’s team of judges included Matthew Brightman ’06, Dan DeMars P’11,’18, Ryan Carney ’01, and Tom Schmottlach. They reviewed the student presentations, selected the finalists, and determined which inventions were strong enough to win an award. Depth of research, manner of presentation, and quality of the prototype were among the many factors assessed by the judges.

📸See more photos from the Gates Expo

Following the Gates Expo, the ten finalists presented to the judges and Gates participants in Humann Theatre. Cardigan congratulates finalists Andrew Reilly ’21, Churchill Salathe ’22, Alejandro Ramirez Garcia ’22, Haohui “Josh” Hou ’21, Chris Giavelli ’21, Beau Brissette ’21, Sebastien Madan ’21, Shijia “Mac” Wang ’21, Cayden Van Dolah ’21, and Charles Goodyear ’21 for their outstanding presentations!

The following day, in front of the entire community packed into Humann Theatre, it was at last time to name the 2019 winners! Congratulations to the following award recipients:

First Place
EZ-Clothes, invented by Cayden Van Dolah and Charles Goodyear

Second Place
Leveled Trash Can, invented by Shijia “Mac” Wang

Third Place
The Blade Cleaner, invented by Beau Brissette and Sebastien Madan

Best Business Plan
Mag Tie, invented by Haohui “Josh” Hou and Chris Giavelli

Best Salesman
Leveled Trash Can, invented by Shijia “Mac” Wang

Patent Nod
SAil Aid, invented by Ben Ely

Learn more about the history of the Gates Program at Cardigan. As always, Cardigan thanks Mrs. Diane Wallach H’16 P’06 for her visionary support of the program, initiated by her father, notable inventor and entrepreneur Mr. Charles C. Gates.

📸See more photos from the Gates Finalists Presentations and Awards