The 1998 Duracell/NSTA Scholarship Competition resulted in some very innovative inventions from more than 1,500 senior and junior high school students. Savings bonds totalling over $100,000 were awarded to the students taking top honors at the nationwide event. On April 15 and 16 the seven first and second place winners, accompanied by sponsoring teachers and parents will be honored at this years annual convention of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) in Las Vegas.

The young inventors covered a wide range of interests and expertise, demonstrating science research, producing useful safety devices developed for home, recreational, and industrial use.

"These results show the amazing creativity and scientific prowess of our nationÆs youth. The Duracell Competition proves that students are motivated when they are challenged to meet practical problems. This years top winners also show that high school students can actively participate in significant R&D work," says Arthur Eisenkraft, PhD., competition judging chair.

Kenneth Louie of Fort Salonga, N.Y., a first place winner of $20,000 savings bond among 10th to 12th grade entries developed LightTalks, an optical microphone which works in areas prone to electromagnetic interference. According to Louie LightTalks is a new concept. "Two years ago I learned from a physician that microphones could not be used in MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) rooms because they have too much interference. So this prompted me to find a way to develop one."

The Kings Park senior used a reflective mylar membrane, optical fibers and a white-light to produce the microphone that not only works in MRI areas but also in other locations with high electromagnetic interference, such as power stations or explosive environments. It is powered by four D-size Duracell batteries. Louis has applied to the U.S. Air Force Academy where he hopes to be a freshman in the fall.

Brandy Curry of Ottsville, Pa., and Jason Lamontagne of Kintersville, Pa. were the $20,000 savings bond winners for the 7th to 9th grades. Their invention the Safety Seat Belt, prevents children from getting seriously injured while drivers are allowed to pay full attention to the road. Powered by two AA-size Duracell batteries, Safety Seat Belt sounds an alarm when a child is not seat-belted. The system can be shut off but the switch is protected by a childproof cap. The pair came up with the idea during their Palisades High School advanced learning class, taught by sponsoring teacher, Pat Peterson.

Second place $10,000 savings bonds were awarded to Whitney Blake, a Manhasset, N.Y. 9th grader; Benjamin Kendall, a State College, Pa. 8th grade student; Richard Barton, a Gaithersburg, Md. 12th grader; and Jason Rolfe, a Ridgewood, N.J. 11th grade student.

Whitney BlakeÆs invention, The Child Safety Door Alarm runs on two 9-volt Duracell batteries. She was motivated to develop her invention to ensure that her young cousins would not fall into a family swimming pool. Blake attends Manhasset High School in Manhasset, New York and was sponsored by science research teacher, Peter Guastella. Blake notes that the device will work on a gate or door and can be left on at all times as it doesnÆt sound when a taller person passes.

Benjamin Kendall was inspired as he watched his father solder some wires. "I thought it would be nice to have a way to heat wires and apply solder at the same time using only one hand, so that the other hand is free," he says. The Super Solder features a small motor attached to the side of the soldering gun powered by two AA-size Duracell batteries. A young man of many talents, the Park Forest Middle School student has also won a top prize in a 1992 literary competition for his book, Alien Invasions.

Richard Barton of Quince Orchard High School developed the Lapotron for practical purposes. A daily swimmer, BartonÆs Lapotron is an underwater tool which counts laps and measures lap times. Powered by four D-size batteries, Lapotron features lighted, easy-to-read colored numbers. BartonÆs sponsoring teacher is Gerald Link.

The Programmable Logic Emulator was invented by Jason Rolfe, it is both a logic tool and a logic teacher. "If you are working on a difficult electronics integrations project, the PLE will organize the sensors, indicators, and response systems into a single system capable of performing the assigned task," Rolfe says. Powered by one 9-volt battery, the device is small and easy to program. His sponsoring teacher from the Academy for the Advancement of Science and Technology in Hackensack, New Jersey is Bahadir Karuv.

The Competition

In itÆs 16th year, the Duracell/NSTA Competition is also awarding ten third place $1,000 savings bonds, 24 fourth place $500 savings bonds, and 60 fifth place $200 savings bonds. All 1,542 students who entered will receive a gift and a certificate of participation.

To enter the Duracell/NSTA Scholarship Competition, seventh through twelfth grade students design and build devices which are educational, useful or entertaining, and powered by one or more Duracell batteries. Judging is based on creativity, practicality, and energy efficiency of the invention, and clarity of written description. Submissions are due at the NSTA each January.

Sponsored by Duracell Inc. and administered by the National Science Teachers Association, the Duracell/NSTA Scholarship Competition has awarded more than $750,000 in scholarships, savings bonds, and cash awards to more than 850 students since 1983. Student inventors retain all rights to their devices.

National Science Teachers Association

1998 Features
1997 Features