Student Inventions Aid Mobility and Accessibility, Win Top Honors
Creatrip Team
22 days ago
At the 47th National Student Science and Invention Contest in South Korea, a 5th-grader from Ulsan won the President's Award for a hands-free door handle called the "intention-reading doorknob, foot-forgotten door handle" that activates a door stopper when the knob is turned about 70 degrees; it uses a pinion-and-rack mechanism and needs no power or sensors. A 3rd-year middle schooler from Daejeon won the Prime Minister's Award for a wheelchair whose seat moves like a factory conveyor to correct a rider's posture when the chair is reversed, reducing strain on caregivers. Judges praised students for creating practical, low-cost mechanical solutions that consider socially vulnerable people. The national contest drew 8,856 regional entrants with 299 advancing to the finals; winning works will be exhibited at the National Science Museum (국립중앙과학관) through Sept. 5 and the awards ceremony is set for Oct. 7.
