Turning a Classroom Assignment into a Patented Invention: Nicolette and Lauren’s Invention Journey

Nicolette and Lauren pose with their invention prototype. Photo courtesy of Lemelson-MIT.

In February 2024 the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granted Massachusetts Invention Convention students Nicolette Buonora & Lauren Strechay U.S. Patent No. 11,892,131-B2. Their patented invention, Battery Swap, is a dual power source flashlight that can be used to switch between power sources providing built-in backup power. What started as a class project during their freshman year of high school not only resulted in a patent, but inspired the pair, now freshmen in college, to pursue careers in engineering – a field neither had previously considered.

In 2020 Nicolette and Lauren’s engineering teacher, Doug Scott – Invention Convention’s 2024 Teacher of the Year – challenged the class to invent a solution to a problem local firefighters and police officers faced. Nicolette and Lauren interviewed local police officers via email to identify the particular problem they wanted to solve. “We came to the conclusion that they were having problems with their flashlights dying without warning while they were on late night shifts,” Nicolette said. “So we created something that would give them a backup power source so that if their flashlight does die they have a way to not be left in the dark without any sort of way to see.” The pair believe that open communication with the police officers was vital in the creation of their invention. “I think it was super important that we were actually talking to them because it was designed for them after all… It really helped us pick a problem that was actually relevant to them versus trying to make up something when we have no idea what their situation is,” Lauren explained.

As Nicolette and Lauren continued to develop their invention, Mr. Scott encouraged them to submit it to the Massachusetts Invention Convention’s 2021 competition. There, they earned the Energy Industry Merit Award. They also advanced to Invention Convention U.S. Nationals, during which they earned the Patent Application Award, presented by Clark Hill Law Firm.

“When we were first making our invention, we didn't even know about the Massachusetts Invention Convention. And it was Mr. Scott who really pushed us to enter the competition,” Nicolette said. “Without that, we would have never gotten to where we are now.” Lauren agreed. “I believe Invention Convention was really the first time we got recognition for our invention… Without the Invention Convention, we really wouldn't have probably filed for a non-provisional patent.”

According to Nicolette, the process the team had to go through for Invention Convention U.S. Nationals was the perfect primer to prepare them to file a patent application. “Invention Convention was really motivating for us because it gave us different deadlines and different things that we needed to provide to be able to compete. But all those things ended up going into our provisional patent,” she said. “The process consisted of us sending in different drawings and photos. We documented everything that we went through process-wise with Battery Swap. We laid out the blueprint of every detail to make sure that our design was original.”

Nicolette and Lauren were finally granted the patent for Battery Swap on February 6, 2024. “I think it's really surreal... this was a project that started so small. It started just inside the four walls of our classroom. It was never something that I really expected to be recognized on a national level,” Lauren shared. “Now that we have the patent, it's a reminder to me of everything that we've accomplished over the course of this project. It's amazing to look back on the experience. I honestly feel inspired by my own accomplishment.” Nicolette agreed and added, “Seeing the final product of our patent and having it be like officially done and officially all set up was just the most rewarding and exciting accomplishment to experience.”

Lauren and Nicolette participate in a Youth Patent Holder Panel at Invention Convention U.S. Nationals 2024.

This inspiring duo agree that the experience has changed their lives, not only for becoming patent holders, but also influencing their future goals. In the fall of 2024, Nicolette started her first year at Wentworth Institute of Technology, while Lauren began attending the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Both are studying engineering, a path that began in Doug Scott’s engineering class when the two first started brainstorming for the Battery Swap.

When asked to share advice with fellow inventors, Lauren remarked, “I think my biggest piece of advice is that you should take every opportunity that's presented to you because if you don't try at those things, you'll never know where you'll succeed.” Nicolette noted that once an inventor takes an opportunity, they should persevere to see the project through. “Don't be deterred by things that are hard or by things that you don't know how to do yet,” she said. “Keep pushing yourself to learn new things and to keep trying new things because even if it's a skill that you don't think you know how to do, there are resources where you can learn how to do it. You can learn how to do hard things.”

Invention Convention Worldwide continues to be inspired by the youth inventors who participate in the program. Stories like Abigail’s are a testament to the power of invention education and the value of the skills learned through the Invention Convention program. Learn how you can bring Invention Convention to your classroom or learning setting by visiting inventionconvention.org. And hear more stories of impact here.