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Student Project Goes from Science Fair to Patent Review

Ranney fifth-grader Derek Vastola talks about creating a new design feature for goalie pads as part of his Lower School Science Fair project and how his invention is now being reviewed for a patent.

Ranney: How did you come up with the idea for your project?

Derek: Every student must come up with his or her own idea for an invention for the science fair. I am a goalie for the Red Bank Generals ice hockey team. During the off-season, I play for other teams in the area. The team colors are completely different from my Generals team colors. I wear my goalie pads that have the Generals team colors even when I play for other teams, but have always wanted my goalie pads to match the team that I am playing for during the off-season. I thought, if there is a way that the colors could be interchangeable, for whatever your team color may be at the time of the game, that it would be a super invention!

Ranney: You created a way to make your idea a reality and it is now being reviewed by a patent attorney. Can you briefly describe how your invention works?

Derek: Without giving away too much information, I sewed a design pattern onto the goalie pad that could be made in as many colors as imaginable; the pad colors are interchangeable using a mechanism that keeps them attached. This way, if your team colors change, all you have to do is change the color on your pads to the color of your new team.

Ranney: In what ways do you think other kids who play sports will find the invention useful? What about adults who play sports—can they use it?

Derek: Children and adults both would find this useful, especially if they play for more than one team.

Ranney: How have your parents and teachers been supportive of your project?

Derek: My parents and teachers have been very supportive of my project and of me playing hockey. In fact, there have been many days that I have to leave school early for lessons or days that I miss class all together to compete in different tournaments. I would not be able to maintain good grades and stay focused if I didn't have the support of all the teachers I have had throughout the years. Every year, I have a great bunch of teachers who completely support me—or maybe they just like ice hockey!

Ranney: What was it like to go to a patent attorney’s office?

Derek: Going to the office was just like going to my mother’s office at her place of work—there were papers all over the desks. We discussed my invention and showed them my project, which was a sample of what I want to do. I wasn't really familiar with patents, but I have learned a lot through the experience.

Ranney: What has this whole experience been like for you? Did you think your idea would be such a big hit?

Derek: I have to be honest with you—at first, I thought it was going to be a lot of work, which it was! I wasn't even sure if it was going to work. After my project was completed, I was quite amazed at how it turned out. It has been pretty exciting, especially since the Reebok review committee is very interested in my idea.

Ranney: Do you have any plans or ideas yet to expand on what you did for this year’s science project during the next school year?

Derek: I have thought of a couple of ideas to expand on if this all works out. I am not yet ready to share them, though. I guess you guys will have to wait and see what those ideas will be!
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235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
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