Windsor Native Creates Solutions For Ice Buildup on Roofs

Imagine shoes that could prevent you from tripping. Styrofoam balls absorb a simulated oil leak. And remember last year's harsh winter? Wouldn't it have been nice to have a weather-proof roof?

Those were some examples of 50 inventions and science projects kindergarten to eighth grade students created and displayed at the  Science and Invention Fair Wednesday in Avon.

"We had quite a variety of both science experiments and inventions," Lydia Gibb, academy dean, said.

The science and invention fairs started there in 1983.

Chase Wayne-Duffy, a third-grade student from Avon, invented shoes with sensor that can detect nearby objects in order to prevent tripping.

Southington resident Emma Ruccio, second grade, programed a small machine to detect black ice based on the reflection of light off the pavement.

After observing the ice buildup on roofs in his town after the heavy ice and snow last winter, academy seventh grader Drake Muth, of Windsor, designed a model roof that could prevent that from happening and, in theory, kill algae and mold, Gibbs said.

Academy eighth-grader Patrick Kage, of Glastonbury, developed a test to detect microhematuria, the presence of small amounts of blood in urine, as a means to "aid the diagnosis ofschistosomiasis," a disease caused by parasitic worms, as defined on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

"It has great implications for third-world countries," Gibbs said.

Abi Marmer-Adams, a seventh-grader at the academy from Colebrook, did her project on bioluminescent algae, "an organism that causes red tide," Gibbs said.

"Her work is very interesting in bioluminescence," Gibbs said.

The younger students had many creative ideas, as well.

Kage's brother, Julian, a first-grade student, simulated an oil spill, absorbed it with Styrofoam balls tied together with a string and dried the Styrofoam in a salad spinner.

Sarah Metcalf, a third-grade student from Suffield, tested the effectiveness of different cleaners on bacteria. Second grade student Nate Welsh, of East Granby, approached the subject in a different way by examining how well cleaning products advertised actually work.

Another Suffield resident learned how air density lifts a hot air balloon off the ground, and in a previous test, his balloon went so high that it caught in a tree.

Manchester resident Mallory Kievman, 13, inventor of the , a lollilop that stops the hiccups, was not present at the fair because State Senator Steve Cassano, D-Manchester, was introducing her to the State Senate on opening day of its first legislative session.

The projects will be judged, Gibbs said. Seventh and eighth grade science project winners will advance to the Connecticut Science Fair. Kindergarten to eighth grade students with winning inventions will compete in the Connecticut Invention Convention, Gibb said.

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