Originality, innovation, scientific discovery, setting objectives, conducting research and organizing documentation are at the core of Invent Idaho.

Student scientists, creators and inventors showcased their problem-solving prowess Saturday and Sunday at the North Idaho Regional Invent Idaho Invention Convention in the Silver Lake Mall.

Inventions included robots that help with laundry, products that stop shoes from stinking, medical devices, products that cool football jerseys and leak-proof dishes for pets. Student inventions fell into the following categories: Adaptations, Gadgets and Games, Jules Verne, Non-Working Models and Working Models.

"Invent Idaho teaches you to think about things in different ways," said high school grand champion and Lakeland High School student Elizabeth McCormick. "Every year I go to Invent Idaho and expand the way I look at the world."

Her sister, homeschool student Allison McCormick, came in first place for the seventh-eighth grade Adaptations category for her "I See You Camera Adapter" invention.

"Invent Idaho has opened so many opportunities and experiences for me," Allison said.

The state finals will be held April 25-26 at the University of Idaho in Moscow. Those who advance will be invited to the RTX Invention Convention U.S. Nationals taking place June 4-6 at the Henry Ford Museum of Innovation in Dearborn, Mich.

Here are the winning Kootenai County students and their entries from the North Idaho Regional Invent Idaho Invention Convention:

ADAPTATIONS

Grades 1-2
First place: Monroe Tommerup, Coeur d'Alene School District, "Cut and Collect"
Second place: Luna Faulconer, Coeur d'Alene School District, "The Bunkbed Delivery System"
Third place: Eleanor Granrud, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Soap Dispenser"

Grades 5-6
First place: Aurora Cook, Coeur d'Alene School District, "Cat House Scratcher Galore"

Grades 7-8
First place: Allison McCormick, homeschool, "I See You Camera Adapter"

Best of Category
Andrew Baker and Lucie Pace, Coeur d'Alene School District, "Pencil Finger Foam"

GADGETS AND GAMES

Grades 1-2
First place: Rhaya Bramblett, Coeur d'Alene School District, "Nature Shapes"
Second place: Eli McDonald, Coeur d'Alene School District, "Monsters in the Sewer"

Grades 3-4
Second place: Ryan Snook, Coeur d'Alene School District, "Block Deck"

Grades 5-6
First place: Caleb McFadden, Coeur d'Alene School District, "Military Chess"
Second place: Mason Buntin, Coeur d'Alene School District, "Laser Eye"

Best of Category
Julia Clark, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Tadpole Trivia"

JULES VERNE

Grades 1-2
First place: Declan Woodward, Coeur d'Alene School District, "Star Garnet Finder"

Grades 3-4
First place: Jennifer McDonald, Coeur d'Alene School District, "Under the Sea Farm"
Second place: Teagan Justus-Munsey, Coeur d'Alene School District, "Seizure Stoppers 2.0"
Third place: Sadie Wallace, Coeur d'Alene School District, "Wellnessitis"

Grades 5-6
First place: Thomas Borchert, Coeur d'Alene School District, "Phobia Off-Load 3000"

Best of Category
Hollyn Kramer, Idaho Digital Learning Alliance/Home Ed 360, "Micro Plast Attack"

NON-WORKING MODELS

Grades 1-2 
Third place: Camdon Jasper, Coeur d'Alene School District, "Plane Snack Grabber"

Grades 3-4
Second place: Kelly Schwab, Coeur d'Alene School District, "The Trampoline"
Third place: Emary Tommerup, Coeur d'Alene School District, "Aqua Guard"

Grades 5-6
First place: Merrick Morse, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Win Win Vending"
Second place: Eliza Potter, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Health at Home"
Third place: Annika Helinski, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Bee Be Gone"

Best of Category
Eevi Pack, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Smelter Delter"

WORKING MODELS

Grades 1-2
First place: Joseph Wirick, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Smelly Shoe Stopper"
Second place: Lola Fremouw, Coeur d'Alene School District, "Pocket Books"

Grades 3-4
First place: Carlson MacKean, Coeur d'Alene School District, "Sneaker Squeaker"
Second place: Alexis Eastman, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "The Fruit Straw"
Third place: Wesleigh Haas, Coeur d'Alene School District, "The No Broody Budger"

Grades 5-6
Third place: Hadley Wood, Coeur d'Alene School District, "Clipadee"

Grades 7-8
First place: Amelia Thompson and Sophie Gustafson, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "No Burn Buckle"
Second place: Emily Lady, Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy, "Walk Safe"

Best of Category
Charlie Asper, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Safe Bite"

BEST OF SHOW

Grades 5-8
Julianna Schwam, Braintree Academy, "Frames with No Pain"

HIGH SCHOOL GRAND CHAMPION

Elizabeth McCormick, Lakeland High School, "Take A Breather Rescue Inhaler"

PEOPLE'S CHOICE
Byron Allen, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Pumpkin DeSeeder"

    North Idaho Regional Invent Idaho Invention Convention Best of Show winner for fifth through eighth grades Julianna Schwam beams a smile Sunday after receiving her award.

    Matthew Swenson, University of Idaho, left, and student inventors who won Best of Category and Best of Show in the 2025 North Idaho Regional Invent Idaho Invention Convention are seen with their awards Sunday at the Silver Lake Mall.