GREENBRIER COUNTY W.Va. (WVDN) – The Greenbrier East engineering and design team presented the public with two incredible inventions that will better the world we live in today and tomorrow. Their mid-project review was unveiled at The Cecil Underwood Building at the State Fairgrounds. Although this was a midterm display, the teams wanted to show off their designs that would make life easier, better, safer and more tolerable for some. Team Alpha has invented an adjustable height wheelchair that lifts the rider to an adjustable height to enter and exit the chair. Team Delta has created a mask-integrated thermal imaging system (MITIS) for firefighters, that will allow them to see thermal images and remain hands-free. Under the tutelage of instructor Kevin Warfield, the sky is no longer the limit for East grads.
Team Alpha is composed of team managers Delaney Hamrick and Braedon Spangler, communications lead Delaney Hamrick and co-lead Kyliegh Swearingen. In sustainability, the lead is James Yarnell and the co-lead is Kendra Culyer. The technical team is led by Nate Smith, co-lead Hailey Ervin, Braedon Spangler and Rodrigo Mendieta-Servin; and finally, in the research department the lead is Rob Bennett and co-lead is Westen Pence.
Together this team was tasked with finding a solution to any given problem. After many discussions and voting sessions, the team decided to invent the adjustable height wheelchair in order to assist wheelchair-bound individuals to access and transfer to elevated surfaces. The team incorporated a lift under the seat of a wheelchair, powered by a 12-volt battery.
This invention will help riders with vertical mobility issues. Imagine a chair that sits at the normal 3-foot level, like a countertop or stove. The individual would be able to push a button and be lifted to the height of a cupboard or medicine cabinet, per se. Also, to assist with getting in and out of bed, reaching taller tables and such. Observers were given a demonstration. Although the invention is in its middle stages, keep your eyes open for this mind-marrowing creation!
Team Delta is team managers Rylee Carver and Caden Carver. In communications, there is lead Olivia Warfield and co-leads Delaney Hamrick and Cole Morgan. Technicians are lead Braedon Spangler and co-leads Chris Harrah and Jacob Grim. In research are lead Jacob Grim and co-lead Ashley Mendez. Finally, in sustainability, lead Amelia Hanna and co-lead Ashley Mendez.
After many voting sessions and ruling out other designs, the team decided to help firefighters. The design invented is an integrated thermal imaging system (MITIS) that will display a thermal image of what the firefighter is viewing while allowing them to be hands-free. The face-plate mounted thermal camera outputs real-time data to an integrated screen and camera so that technicians or other firefighters can see what he/she sees, as well as the wearer. This can allow the firefighter to see heat-producing victims and heat in a wall or behind a door. A battery is also planned to fit on the mask that will power the camera and screen.
This is an invaluable tool for any rescue person and can save many lives, both in civilian and EMS environments. Their ultimate goal is to increase firefighters’ dexterity and efficiency during a fire rescue situation.
The two teams are part of The Lemelson-MIT Invention Education Capstone Course.
“The Lemelson-MIT Program (LMIT) is a national leader in advancing invention education. LMIT has helped thousands of students and educators learn to invent and has recognized hundreds of collegiate and mid-career inventors for over 25 years. [Their] research offers evidence that [their] creative, transdisciplinary problem-solving approach known as invention education helps students of all backgrounds develop interest, confidence and capabilities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).”
Patents have been awarded to students across the U.S. who are involved with LMIT, as well as many other awards and accolades. Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams is an initiative of the Lemelson-MIT Program that awards annual grants of up to $7,500 each to teams of high-school students, teachers and mentors to invent technological solutions to real-world problems.
The engineering and design course is available to all high school students as an elective beginning in freshman year and can be taken each year until graduation. This class does earn credit for high school students. This is an incredible opportunity for any student who has an interest in engineering, CAD, science, computer science and computational thinking, making, inventing, entrepreneurship and the arts which will better the world they live in.
Donations are graciously accepted both monetarily and otherwise by reaching out to Kevin Warfield or East Engineering at Greenbrier East High School, BWarfield@K12.wv.us, calling 304-647-6464 ext. 1509 or follow their journeys on Facebook at Greenbrier East Engineering and Design. Not all the needs are met through funding for the bus, hotels, food, MIT tees and more; and you never know if a project they’re working on may find the working part in your garage!
The students and instructors alike are proud to display their minds’ work and to represent West Virginia well at MIT in June!
