First Place

Gulliver Preparatory, Pinecrest, FL – Simple Electronic Ergonomic Box Opener
Team Members: Claudio Di Leo, Andi Potamin, Matt Shore, Dan Helmers, and Joel Perez
Coach: Claude Charron

“Based on the data received from our surveys, it was concluded that the S.E.E.B.O. increased safety and comfort and decreased pressure. Even though 50% of those surveyed found the X-Acto knife easier to use, the original purpose of the device, which was to reduce pressure and increase safety and comfort, was achieved.”

Second Place

Staples High School, Westport, CT – EZFile System
Team Members: Jonathan Sellon, Elizabeth Marshman, Nathaniel Fox, Antonella Lisanti, and Phillip Seo
Coach: Joanne Klouda

“The EZfile device clearly solves the problem of a lack of solutions and devices targeted towards individuals who have arthritis. As our evaluation demonstrated, the EZfile succeeds in allowing a person with arthritis to easily search and retrieve a file. The waterfall effect allows the person operating the drawer to see each file as the drawer is being pulled out. The market for our product is an untapped source that has a great amount of potential, with nearly 400,000 possible customers in the U.S. alone.”

Third Place

Wallenpaupack Area High School, Hawley, PA – All Purpose Photoelectric Counter
Team Members: Kelsi Ann Horan, Ryan McCullough, Charles Osborn, and Luke Swenson
Coach: Gene Shultz

“We chose to use the photoelectric solution because of its impeccable accuracy, ability to be easily understood, and the fact that it can be used with many different products, such as anything that is small enough to pass through the chute and big enough to trigger the photogate. We named our counter the All Purpose Photoelectric Counter. This means that disabled persons in a variety of manufacturing fields could benefit from using the device.”

Honorable Mention

Bacon Academy, Colchester, CT – The Handy Grip
Team Members: Josh Hodgson, Gary Clauss, and Jake Barnowski
Coach: Amy Hopkins

“Based on our evaluation of the Handy Grip, the Bacon Engineering Team believes that the device will improve the productivity of individuals with disabilities. It was originally designed for an older individual who was experiencing repetitive strain injury to his wrist while working as a groundskeeper. The Handy Grip is a durable and practical solution that can alleviate this problem, and in addition can be useful to other individual of varying ages and physical capabilities. The reasonable cost of the Handy Grip also makes it accessible to a broad market.”

Honorable Mention

Upper St. Clair High School, Upper St. Clair, PA – The Easy Access “EA” Chair
Team Members: Raksha Kumar, Benjamin Burns, Brian Liu, John Uhl, and Anish Mathur
Coach: Marjorie Heins

“With the use of the “EA” Chair, Stacy will be able to transfer herself to the lawn mower and control the height adjustment pedal without outside assistance. Stacy will continue to perform a function vital to her occupation and will retain her independence in the workplace. This product will be useful to any wheelchair-bound individuals who need to mow lawns, but can also be adapted to assist these people in a multitude of workplace situations.”