Local Students Shine at Ocean County Invention Convention

Need a new way to keep track of your jewelry, wash your dog, or keep sand out of your shoe? Check with the elementary students of Lacey and Berkeley townships.

The Gifted and Talented Programs of the Berkeley and Lacey Township School Districts held the Ocean County Invention Convention Tuesday, where third- and fourth-grade students from Lacey Township and fifth- and sixth-grade students from Berkeley invented usable and marketable products based on their own ideas and research.

The students at the Invention Convention were selected after a competition in their own schools.

“These are the best of the best from that,” said Linda Waldron, a teacher at Berkeley Township Elementary School.

Marnie Reimer, 10, of Lacey Township was the first place winner for the third and fourth grade division.

Reimer invented The Purr Ball, a stuffed animal that purrs for children with sensory processing disorder, a condition when sensory signals do not get organized into appropriate responses.

Reimer, who has the disorder, thought of the invention after reflecting on her second-grade memory book. She chose a monster out of the book to make with fabric and put a machine inside that purrs.

“It lets them feel and touch and relaxes everyone. It’s soothing to rub,” Reimer said.

The toy also comes with accessories including a miniature brush, bears and blankets.

“I will try to move forward with it,” Reimer said.

Allison Cameron, 11, of Berkeley Township won first place for the fifth- and sixth-grade division.

Cameron invented a Flag Slip Cover, a plastic covering for flags that is used to protect flags from rain and keep them from getting tangled.

Cameron originally thought of another invention to only discover it was already on the market. After trying to come up with another invention, Cameron looked at her home’s flag, which was tangled at the time.

“My dad wants to get it patented. I really hope it goes bigger,” Cameron said.

After the a panel of retired teachers, the president of the Chamber of Commerce of Ocean County, a lawyer, and a college and special program coordinator judged the inventions, they offered advice to the students.

The following students placed at the Invention Convention:

Lacey Township — Third and Fourth Grade Division

• First Place- Marnie Reimer, Lanoka Harbor Elementary School, Purr Ball
• Second Place- Maggie Patterson, Lanoka Harbor Elementary School, Sew Easy
• Third Place- Emily Brennan, Cedar Creek, Brennan Beans
• Honorable Mention- Angelina Italiano, Lanoka Harbor Elementary School, Helping Hand

Berkeley Township — Fifth and Sixth Grade Division

• First Place- Allison Cameron, Berkeley Township Elementary School, Flag Slip Cover
• Second Place- Alexandria Forsyth, Berkeley Township Elementary School, Key Tag holder
• Third Place- Jon MacMoyle, Berkeley Township Elementary School, Dog Wash
• Honorable Mention- Jamie Smith, Berkeley Township Elementary School, Pencil Buddy