Bryan Elementary third grader advances to Invention Convention nationals

If natural disasters keep affecting farmland, where will the world grow its food?

Bryan Elementary School third grader Jennifer McDonald pondered, researched and studied this question until she arrived at an answer — "Under the Sea Farm: An Underwater Farm and Living Facility."

“My inspiration was mostly about the problem," Jennifer said Tuesday. "It was a time where most hurricanes and natural disasters were coming in. I had an idea to make it beneath the surface (to protect it) from natural disasters."

Jennifer was one of many Gem State students to be recognized for their compassion, innovation and originality at the 2025 Invent Idaho Invention Convention, held April 25 and April 26 at the University of Idaho in Moscow. She was awarded the Jules Verne Best of Category and will advance to the Invention Convention U.S. Nationals in Dearborn, Mich., June 4-6.

When the announcement was made that she had won, Jennifer said she was "very, very excited."

"I was shaking,” she said.

This will be her second time participating in the national event. She also competed in first grade.

"I’m looking forward to the museum," she said. "It's really cool, and I could learn about stuff I didn't know before and I could use that for my next invention next year for inspiration."

Jennifer said she loves participating in Invent Idaho because it's fun to invent things that could help people and animals.

"She has mentioned, with her having this opportunity and inventing and getting to go to state, getting to see the campus she has already decided she wants to go to the U of I," said her mom, Danielle McDonald. "Getting to see all the rooms of the people that go to college there, you see through the windows what they're working on, it makes her very excited."

Invent Idaho regional coordinator Rachel Schwam said she is proud of each and every student whether or not they received an award.

"I encourage all of the student inventors as they continue on with their daily lives," she said. "If they see a problem, write it down and then brainstorm to see if you can come up with a solution. It only takes one idea, one invention to change the world. Never stop creating and inventing."

Visit gofundme.com for details about the McDonald family's campaign to raise money for Jennifer's trip to the national contest.

Kootenai County students and their inventions recognized at the Invent Idaho State Finals, by category:

ADAPTATIONS
Grades 1-2
First place — Monroe Tommerup, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "Cut and Collect"
Second place — Luna Faulconer, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "The Bunkbed Buddy Delivery System"
Third place — Eleanor Granrud, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Soap Dispenser

Grades 5-6
First place — Andrew Baker and Lucie Pace, Bryan Elementary, "Pencil Finger Foam"
Third place — Aurora Cook, Bryan Elementary, "Cat House Scratcher Galore"

Grades 7-8
Third place — Julianna Schwam, homeschool, Coeur d'Alene, "Frames with No Pain"

GAMES AND GADGETS
Grades 1-2
First place — Rhaya Bramblett, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "Nature Shapes"
Second place — Eli McDonald, Bryan Elementary, "Monsters in the Sewer"
Grades 3-4
Second place — Ryan Snook, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "Block Deck"
Grades 5-6
First place — Mason Buntin, Atlas Elementary School, "Laser Eye"
Second place — Caleb McFadden, Northwest Expedition Academy, "Military Chess"
Grades 7-8
Second place — Julia Clark, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Tadpole Trivia"

JULES VERNE
Grades 1-2
Third place — Declan Woodward, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "Star Garnet Finder"
Grades 3-4
Second place — Teagan Justus Munsey, Bryan Elementary, "Seizure Stoppers 2.0"
Grades 5-6
First place —Thomas Borchert, Winton Elementary, "Phobia Off-Load 3000"
Best of category — Jennifer McDonald, third grade, "Under the Sea Farm: An Underwater Farm and Living Facility"

NON-WORKING MODELS
Grades 1-2
First place — Camdon Jasper, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "Plane Snack Grabber"
Third place — Byron Allen, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Pumpkin Deseeder"
Grades 3-4
First place — Hudson Carleton, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Garage Blanket"
Second place — Emary Tommerup, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "Aqua Guard"
Grades 5-6
First place — Eevi Pack, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Smelter Delter"

WORKING MODELS
Grades 1-2
Second place — Joseph Wirick, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Smelly Shoes Stopper"
Grades 3-4
Second place — Wesleigh Haas, Winton Elementary, "The Mix Fix"
Third place — Mackean Carlson, Hayden Meadows Elementary, "Sneaker Squeakers"
Grades 7-8
First place — Emily Laddy, Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy, "Walk Safe"
Second place — Sophie Gustafson and Amelia Thompson, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "No-Burn Buckle"
Best of category — Charlize Asper, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, "Safe-Bite"

BEST OF SHOW GRADES 5-8 + $1,000 scholarship
Hollyn Kramer, homeschool, Rathdrum, "Microplast-ATTACK"

HIGH SCHOOL
Third place — Elizabeth McCormick, Lakeland High School, "Take a Breather Rescue Inhaler"

    Local students Alison McCormick, left, and Julianna Schwam are seen with their projects as they await in-person interviews with judges during the 2025 Invent Idaho State Finals at the University of Idaho.
  

    North Idaho STEM Charter Academy student Joseph Wirick discusses his "Smelly Shoes Stopper" invention at the 2025 Invent Idaho State Finals, held April 25-26 at the University of Idaho.
  

    Lakeland High School student Elizabeth McCormick is seen with her invention, the "Take a Breather Rescue Inhaler," during the 2025 Invent Idaho State Finals at the University of Idaho in Moscow.