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The results are in! Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Kootenay Contraption Contest. Throughout November, 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 innovative wearables to massive biodomes, 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 for your ongoing support!

This Years KCC challenge:

Everyone loves home grown food or veggies from the local farmers market, it just tastes better! What contraption can you imagine to help grow food locally? It can be something for local farms, a community garden or even your own backyard garden bed or balcony box! Create a contraption that will make it easier to grow a big, delicious garden!

Our 2023 Winning Creations

kast kootenay contraption contest 2023 alexis 01

Grand Prize & Grade 5/6 Winner | Alexis

Planting and Maintenance Mower

“It is a robot that digs the hole for the seeds, plants the seeds, and waters the seeds. I like to garden but my least favourite part is planting the seeds so this robot does it for you, that is the problem it solves. This is how it works, when you push it the small shovel digs a hole and then the seeds slide out and the water starts the hose and waters the seeds and the insect repellent sprays.”

What we liked

This would be easy for anyone to use in their gardens or on farms of any size, without changing the garden at all! Just push it along and the contraption does the work. Check out the 3D design this creator made with TinkerCad.

kast kootenay contraption contest 2023 edouard 02

Kindergarten Winner | Edouard B.

Water and Planting Safety Plane

kast kootenay contraption contest 2023 edouard 01
“The safety airplane cut the plants and flowers for harvest. The seeds can fall into the ground. There is a Sun under that help seeds grow and a big watering system in the back controlled by a lever.”

What we liked

This contraption addresses everything a plant needs and packages it into one amazing system that could be used on a farm. Well done!

kast kootenay contraption contest 2023 mateo 02

Grade 1 Winner | Matéo B.

Seed Spreader, Waterer, and Weeder

kast kootenay contraption contest 2023 mateo 01
"The machine has many functions. The seeds are inside, and they are released into the ground. Under, there is air that comes up to help the plants to be strong. There is also a digger and a sprayer to water. On the other side, you can find a tube where sunshine shines to the ground. On each side, there is an arm that picks the weeds."

What we liked

This contraption is well thought out, we love that it does everything for the garden, especially the weeding. Great design!

kast kootenay contraption contest 2023 bella 02

Grade 2/3 Winner | Bella L.

Helper Drone Twins 4000

kast kootenay contraption contest 2023 bella 01
“My idea is that there is one drone where there is a hose attached, so it spreads water all over the garden. The other one drops fertilized soil all over the garden. It helps so you don’t have to do all the work. You have two controllers, and there is a camera you can take pictures to see if the garden is okay. Also, you can go anywhere and still control the drones and take pictures.”

What we liked

Great use of technology and STEAM to address the challenge! Drone farms everywhere would love these Helper Drones.

kast kootenay contraption contest 2023 cali 02

Grade 6/7 Winner | Cali C.

Seed Planting Gloves

kast kootenay contraption contest 2023 cali 01
"My idea is a glove that shoots out seeds when you push a button. So you dig a hole and push the button you can plant seeds way easier and 5 different types of seeds so they don’t get mixed up."

What we liked

This was one of the most unique contraptions of the year. Congratulations!

2023 KCC Judging Panel

kast kootenay contraption contest 2023 sponsor 01
  • Lauren Bergman / KAST
  • Melanie Fontaine / KAST
  • Sam Farrell / KAST
  • Jennifer Datchkoff / KAST