HOUGHTON — Students from the Keweenaw Peninsula were recognized for their creativity and problem-solving skills at the state-level Invention Convention Michigan, held at The Henry Ford.

Among the participants, Adelyn Wilson and Allie Johnston earned two top awards for their invention, Magic Footsteps, a tool designed to help young basketball players improve their layup technique. Their project received first place in the “Sports, Games, and Toys” category and was also selected for the “Designing and Building Award,” sponsored by RTX.

With this achievement, the team has qualified to compete at Invention Convention Nationals in June, where they will represent Michigan alongside top student inventors from across the country.

Also representing the region was Corbin Anderson, whose invention, Snowmobile Pull Jacket, helps reduce the risk of injury when snowmobilers attempt to free a stuck snowmobile. Corbin was recognized as the top overall scorer for the Western Upper Peninsula region, highlighting the strength of his design and presentation.

Audrey Bratt presented her invention, Click Cover, a safety device designed to prevent toddlers from unbuckling their car seat restraints. Her project addresses an important everyday safety concern for families.

The event, hosted by The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn brings together student innovators from across the state and highlights the importance of creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving in education.

Travel to the event for students and families visiting Dearborn from the Keweenaw was made possible through a transportation grant provided by Molex, through The Henry Ford.

These students advanced to the state competition through InventCon, the Keweenaw’s Youth Innovation Showcase. At the state event, students from across Michigan presented original inventions designed to solve real-world problems.

InventCon is organized by Michigan Tech University’s Engineering Growth, Development, and Engagement program and it serves as the regional qualifying event for Invention Convention – Michigan. The program engages students in grades 3-12 in identifying problems in their daily lives and developing creative solutions using the engineering design process.

“This experience gives students a chance to turn their ideas into real solutions and share them with a wider audience,” said Tom Oliver, MTU-EDGE Director. “It was clear, through the way these young inventors represented the Keweenaw region at the state level, that they worked very hard on their projects. It was all very impressive.”