EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Finalists from EMUiNVENT, an invention competition comprised of students grades second to twelve, participated in Invention Convention Michigan, a statewide inventors competition at The Henry Ford. Three of the five teams earned top awards at the state-level competition.

According to The Henry Ford, Invention Convention Michigan brings together problem solvers, inventors, and entrepreneurs of all ages, backgrounds, and disciplines, inspiring students to become the next generation of innovators. Of the 1035 Michigan students who participated in the competition, 136 qualified for the state finals, featuring 82 projects and 74 judges. 

“Working on solving a problem through an invention helps students experience hands-on,  real-life application of sciences and technologies, both traditional and emerging,” said Shiri Vivek, marketing and supply chain management professor and co-director of EMUiNVENT at EMU. “Beyond traditional education, invention education teaches resilience, deeper understanding of problems, setting objectives to solve the problems, using failure as a springboard, and working with others to achieve the objectives. Most of all, this program develops self-efficacy and confidence in one's problem-solving ability.”

Three of the five EMUiNVENT teams that made it to the competition bagged the top awards and will move on to the 2023 Raytheon Technologies Invention Convention U.S. Nationals at The Henry Ford, June 7-9. 

EMUiNVENT winners that received medals for their inventions include:

Suhani Dalela, Saline High School, first place award for Position Changer invention for people needing support to change positions and posture.

Mayur Reddy, Saline Middle School, first place award in the 6-9 category for the Sound Sleeper invention. 

Jonathan Keeler and Collin Wirkner, Creekside Intermediate School, a second-place award for the Comfort Covering invention for the homeless

These four students will compete at the Raytheon Technologies Invention Convention U.S. Nationals in June. The community can check out the students and their work at The Henry Ford Museum on June 8. 

This summer, EMUiNVENT invites high school students to join GA2 Invent. It is open to students in the Greater Ann Arbor area, and the finalists will work for more competitive inventions. For more information, email emu_invent@emich.edu.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.