The Henry Ford’s Invention Convention Americas Awards Ceremony Spotlights Young Inventors Taking on the World’s Greatest Challenges

(Dearborn, Mich. – August 25, 2023) – On Aug. 25, 2023, the brightest young inventors in grades K-12+ from the United States and Mexico were celebrated during the Invention Convention Americas Awards Ceremony, presented by RTX.

From more than 170,000 participants in Invention Convention Worldwide, 146 inventors were selected as finalists in this year’s Americas competition, which showcases the creative solutions these students designed to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

The finalists were judged by a panel of 30 international judges, and 13 awards were presented in a virtual experience that transported the students to the floor of Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, Michigan. A few themes emerged in the problems the inventors identified and sought to solve, from energy and the environment to health care and safety.

Several students identified issues surrounding commercialization of plastic and other nonbiodegradable products and the harmful effects they have on the environment.

The Americas Best of Show Award, presented by RTX, was awarded to a team from Mexico — Ana Yesenia Rojas Medina, Ricardo Arturo Tenango Rendón, Yuritzy Mariana Maldonado Ramos and Heidi Lisseth Ramírez Iturbide — for their invention “Extraction and characterization of a bioplastic.” The winning invention, which also earned first place in the 12+ grade category, seeks to decrease the amount of pollution produced by single-use plastics, such as plastic films used in food packaging. Their solution is a bioplastic film made of materials that would be biodegradable, soluble in water and more cost-efficient than alternatives.

Another project that focused on tackling the use of plastics was by Charlotte Fan and Wyatt Newbill of the United States, whose invention “Terreus” is a biodegradable alternative to harmful packaging materials that pollute the environment. Lara Otico, also of the United States, created “Plapper,” which offers a unique alternative to plastic and paper materials that is made from invasive plants. “Trident,” invented by Tarun Batchu of the United States, offers two innovative procedures to improve the efficiency of standard pyrolysis of plastics, minimizing pollution from the creation and residual effects of plastic.

Another theme that emerged this year is in the field of health, medicine and accessibility, with inventions focused on helping people. Mahi Patel (U.S.) invented an impressive AI model that detects lung cancer, greatly reducing the chance of misdiagnosis and providing patients with an early diagnosis. The team of Miguel Huizache Vázquez, David Martínez Rodríguez, Jesús Jiménez Posadas and Carolos Eduardo Anaya Ojeda (Mexico) invented “RuedaTec,” a sustainable and affordable solution for those with mobility disabilities that harnesses renewable energy to power electric wheelchairs. Lillian Long (U.S.) drew inspiration from her own experience when she invented “You CAN Touch This!,” a slime made with dermatologist-recommended ingredients for those with sensitive skin.

Other winning projects include:

“Smart Mailbox,” invented by Vinoda Thiyagarajan (U.S.), is designed to combat the increasing problem of packages delivered to incorrect addresses.

“PRO-SAFETY (Preventive Risk Observation and Safety Alert Technology for Industry),” invented by Avish Banerjee (U.S.), is a series of sensors to help prevent injuries on construction sites related to environmental heat exposure, collision with approaching objects, overexertion and slips, falls or trips.

“H20 Monitoring for All,” invented by Jack Driscoll-Natale (U.S.), is a cost-efficient system that offers continuous monitoring of the health of waterways and provides public access to results.

“Breno,” invented by the team of Alejandra Paola Romero Ramírez, Arleth Ortiz Lopez, Natalia Abigail Alvarez Avelino and Cristal Lopez Hernandez (Mexico), is a nutritional food bar that seeks to combat malnutrition and hunger in their home state in Mexico.

“Nicté: Smart Garden,” invented by the team of Laura Cristina González García, Adriana Elizabeth Chimal Ruiz, Julio Alejandro Martinez Pérez and Alisson Grecia Sanjuanico Rodríguez (Mexico), is a device with an app that encourages self-sustainability in domestic environments by providing specific instructions and general information about caring for plants.

Click here to see the full winner's list and watch the award ceremony.

To learn more about how your students and school can participate in Invention Convention Worldwide for the 2023-24 school year, contact us at icw@thf.org.

About The Henry Ford
Located in Dearborn, Michigan, The Henry Ford, a globally recognized destination, fosters inspiration and learning from hands-on encounters with artifacts that represent the most comprehensive collection anywhere focusing on innovation, ingenuity and resourcefulness in America. Its unique venues include Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Benson Ford Research Center and Henry Ford Academy, a public charter high school. Together with its online presence at THF.org, its national television series The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation and Invention Convention Worldwide, the growing affiliation of organizations fostering innovation, invention and entrepreneurship in K-12 students, The Henry Ford inspires individuals to unlock their potential and help shape a better future.