Tech Directions - May 2008 - (Page 22)

Honorable mention: Will Horvath, Lakewood (OH) High School Teacher: Jan McAndrew Honorable mention: Kyle Robin, grade 8, Lincoln (RI) Middle School. Teacher: Susan Johnson Bug Trap My invention is a bug trap. My problem statement is that people all over the world may have bug problems, and I am here to help them. My trap is cheap and easy to use. I would make it by cutting a Ping-Pong ball in half and have four holes and a sticky substance that the trap would be set on. I would include in the package directions to show how to use the trap. The Ping-Pong balls would cost as little as $0.40 if purchased in lots of 5,001–10,000. Each of my packages of six traps would sell for $3, so if I sold 1,000 I would make $3,000. Users would set the traps all around the house on strips of sticky tape that will be provided in the package. Judge’s comments: Will brings us a simple, practical way to use Ping-Pong balls as bug traps. He also takes the time to price-out his invention and give us an idea of the economics involved . . . perhaps another budding engineer. Foam Container My idea for the common Ping-Pong ball is a fireextinguishing foam container. The idea is that someone would compress fire-fighting foam so tightly into a PingPong ball that it would burst as soon as you throw it. On contact, the ball would explode and a good amount of foam would come out and put out the fire. This idea is important because it can be used to help put out fires, is very portable, and will work as soon as you throw it. Judge’s comments: Kyle provides us with a glimpse of the future of fire fighting, proposing that Ping-Pong balls be loaded with pressurized fire retardants and shot into fires where they will dispense their contents to control fires. This is great out-of-the-box thinking! For big fires, firemen might use very large Ping-Pong ball shapes to fight the fire. Can you see a Ping-Pong ball cannon on the back of tomorrow’s fire engine, blasting away and sending balls of fire-fighting materials deep into a fire to snuff it out? Way to go, Kyle! Honorable mention: Alexander Salmins, grade 12, Noblesville (IN) High School. Teacher: Joe Toms Helmet My three drawings display the exterior of my helmet design and show how the design works. The front view shows that the Ping-Pong balls would encompass the entire head. The side view displays how a plastic covering would hold all the balls in place; therefore, they could stay in place while taking the impact of a collision. On the other side of the Ping-Pong balls there would be a cushion layer of foam where the helmet contacts a person’s head. Ping-Pong balls are extremely light; thus the helmet would weigh much less than other helmets. The helmet would consist of roughly 35–50 Ping-Pong balls, depending on the size of the user’s head. Helmets are key in protecting the head from injuries. The head is the most important part of the body because it encompasses the brain. Helmets have sometimes been clunky in design and a bit heavy. People would wear helmets more often if they were easier to use and lighter. Basically, the Ping-Pong helmet would improve safety and well-being. The helmet could be used in many different situations, such as when riding a bike. Also, for someone working in a garage under a car, it would be a great protective device. Judge’s comments: A wide variety of ideas submitted described the use of Ping-Pong balls for safety and swimming flotation. Alexander’s invention was well conceived and expressed, and put into a practical application. 22 techdirections ◆ MAY 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Directions - May 2008

Tech Directions - May 2008 Contents Technically Speaking Direct from Washington The News Report Mastering Computers Technology's Past Technology Today Road to Success - Service Learning Enhances Tech Ed Experience Balsa Tower Walls Brave 'Big Buster' These Kids Are Really on the Ball - Inventors Competition Winners School Web Site of the Month Animator Career Exploration Tools Guide Index to Volume 67 More than Fun

Tech Directions - May 2008

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