The results are in! Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Kootenay Contraption Contest.
Throughout February, K to 8 students from all across the Kootenays put on their thinking caps and designed their very own “contraptions” to solve a problem put forth by our judging panel. From a notation-to-speech music scanner for the piano, to elongating stairs and a new and improved sit-ski, our Kootenay youth proved their imaginations are limitless! We received illustrations, presentations, and some even built their own very own prototypes, bringing their ideas to life! We were amazed by the creativity put forth by participants of this year’s Contest.
Thank you to FortisBC and the Province of British Columbia for your continued support, making the Kootenay Contraption Contest possible!
This Year’s KCC challenge:
The year is 2050 and we live in a community where all people have equal access to opportunities. Design a contraption that promotes inclusivity and safety and enables children of all abilities to participate in various activities.
Our 2024 Winning Creations
Grand Prize & Grade 6 Winner | Stuart | Rossland, BC
Spectrum-friendly hair salon chair
“I created a salon chair for people on the Autism spectrum. Some people who have Autism
don’t like the noise that comes from the electric razors when it cuts their hair. That’s why
there’s a dome around the hairline that prevents them from seeing and hearing what’s
happening behind them. There is also an iPad for mathematical games to keep you focused
on the game instead of the loud noises. On the back side of the chair there is a rack for all of
the tools of the salon and an outlet for the hair dryer.”
“My creation makes it possible for people with Autism to get a haircut without getting
overstimulated.”
Grade 1&2 Winner | Ursa | Winlaw, BC
The Piano 909151
“This will help blind people who want to play the piano. My invention will scan the music and tell the person what note to play.”
Grade 3 Winners (team) | Ayda, Sebastian, Jacques | Rossland, BC
The Intelligent
“Our contraption helps people who can’t use one of their five senses. It has a sensor that moves away from obstacles. There is a site, a ski pole, that turns with a motor.”
Grade 4 Winner | Isla | Revelstoke, BC
Wheelchair with springs connected to motion sensor
“The wheelchair has a motion sensor connected to your back so when you move your back forward the motion sensor connected to the springs makes you jump up so when you play basketball you can play with disabilities.”
Grade 5 Winner | Filippa | Revelstoke, BC
New and improved sit-ski
“This contraption is suitable for people with no limbs and blind people and there is braille on the snow board.”
Grade 7&8 Winner | Will | Revelstoke, BC
Elongating stairs
“My contraption makes people’s lives easier by transforming regular stairs into a ramp. With the push of a button, these stairs elongate into a ramp and retract back into stairs as needed. This invention solves the problem of accessibility for individuals that use wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walkers, strollers and grocery carts.”
2024 KCC Judging Panel
- Jennifer Datchkoff / Community and Indigenous Relations Liason – Fortis
- Ryley Iverson / Executive Director – KAST
- Sam Farrell / East Kootenay Director – KAST
Thank you to our 2024 KCC Sponsors
