Young inventors from Newtown and surrounding towns showed their smarts and creativity, and had lots of fun in the process, taking part in the EverWonder Children’s Museum’s Invention Convention program. A five-week session culminated with an opportunity for a dozen inventors to showcase their work to judges on February 29 and two — Jackson O’Connell and Victor Riccitelli — were selected to move forward to the semifinals (a video format competition this spring). They now have a chance to reach the State Invention Convention at the University Of Connecticut’s Gampel Pavilion on June 8.

The inventors, in grades 3 to 6, represented a variety of schools: Head O’Meadow, Middle Gate, Reed, Sandy Hook, Meeting House (New Fairfield), and Western Connecticut Academy (Danbury). The objective was to come up with something new or something that improves an already-existing item.

They came up with prototypes and, sometimes determined the invention would not work as planned and went back to the drawing board. In the end, everybody came up with something unique and clever.

O’Connell’s invention was the Robo-Shagger to collect softballs and baseballs.

“It takes me a very long time to collect all the baseballs once I’ve hit them all,” said O’Connell, adding that his creation is solar powered with a battery to work after dark and has treads to help navigate the bumpy ground.

Riccitelli’s was the Pocket Sun, a solar powered LED light that will attach to your shirt to provide hands-free light. Riccitelli was inspired by his father and his always being prepared with a flashlight.

Duke Bshara invented Tree In A Bag, a biodegradable bag with dirt and seeds for planting a tree. Ezekiel Lopes came up with the Doggy Umbrella, an adjustable umbrella on a jacket for canines.

“A lot of times when I get home and it’s been raining my dog shakes and it gets the entire place wet,” Lopes said.

Ryan Stott invented the Hatty, which combines your winter hat, scarf, and gloves as a one-piece winter set. “Sometimes I lose my gloves,” Stott said.

Not any more.

Parents can relate to this one: Stepping on small hard toys on the carpet. “Basically everybody in my family does,” said Milan Mengler, who is doing something about it. He came up with the Shield Sock — a sock with a padded sole.

Attendees also took part in a People’s Choice vote. The winners for that were Amelia Hermann for the Quicker Painter, to enable paint to be added to a paintbrush easily, and Matthew Gronowski for the Dice Roller, which allows easy throwing of dice, for people with hand/arm disabilities, or overly-enthusiastic children.

Museum Manager Niki Giordano noted that EverWonder is very grateful to Lisa Yu, a certified teacher, who previously taught in Fairfield, for leading this program, and that EverWonder appreciates the support of the parents, the assistance from Connecticut Invention Convention, and for the judges giving their time.

“We’ve had a good time and I think everyone’s learned a lot,” Yu added. “Each child had an opportunity to showcase something that’s important in their life.”

EverWonder Executive Director Merredith Christos said the museum has wanted to hold an event such as this for some time and, following last year’s move to the larger location from Pecks Lane to 11 Mile Hill Road, has made that possible.

Judges were: Wendy Aponte — Danbury teacher, and newly appointed EverWonder Summer Camp Director; Nichole Pitruzzello — director of programs for Connecticut Invention Convention; Tushar Amin — technology and finance executive with experience spanning Fortune 500 companies and venture-backed startups; and Dr Jim Carlson — Career and Technology Education Specialist at WorkspaceCT.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.