Taunton Public School students Sadie Rasar, left, and William Lefaivre received awards at the National Invention Convention. (Courtesy Photo Taunton Public Schools) 
Fifth grader William Lefaivre (left) with his First Place convention project Ski Sense. (Courtesy Photo Taunton Public Schools) 
Third grader Sadie Rasar with her Third Place convention project, Holiday Holster (Courtesy Photo Taunton Public Schools) 
Students from across the nation competed at the Seventh Annual U.S. National Invention Convention in Dearborn, Michigan (Courtesy Photo National Invention Convention Website)
TAUNTON — Superintendent John Cabral and Taunton Public Schools Director of Curriculum for STEM Elizabeth Pawlowski would like to recognize students who participated in the National Invention Convention.
Taunton Public School students competed in the Seventh Annual U.S. Nationals Raytheon Technologies Invention Convention, held in-person from May 31 through June 3, atthe Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, Michigan.
Students from across the nation who qualified at state competitions were invited to Dearborn, to compete in grade level and special award categories for projects related to STEM. The top 20 projects in Massachusetts were selected to go forward at the Massachusetts Invention Convention last April.
William Lefaivre, a fifth grader at Friedman Middle School, won first place in the Upper Elementary Division at the MA fair for his project, Ski Sense, which are skis that use sensors, light, vibrations, and Bluetooth technology to help beginners learn to ski while focusing forward and not on their feet.
Sadie Rasar, a third grader at East Taunton Elementary School, won third place in the Upper Elementary Division at the MA fair, for her project the Holiday Holster, a belt that organizes all of your gift-wrapping supplies.
Through these accomplishments Lefaivre and Rasar placed in the Top 20 for the state and were the first Taunton Public School students to qualify for the national competition, competing against over 300 students from across the country.
At Nationals Lefaivre was awarded a patent application from the Law Firm of WilmerHale, for Ski Sense.
“I am proud of our students for their continued hard work and dedication to learning,” said Superintendent Cabral. “They should be very excited about their accomplishments.”
“I am so proud that our students were recognized for their innovation and bravery!,” said Director of Curriculum for STEM Pawlowski. “Making it to nationals is an unbelievable feat, but it is truly an accomplishment that these young people were able to speak so passionately about their work to experts in their fields.”
For more information about the National Invention Convention click here.
###