Did you know that student inventors exist across the United States? Every year, many states host “Invention Convention” competitions in which K-12 student inventors display their inventions and have the potential to win prizes. This year, inventRight was proud to help a student inventor from Western NY Invention Convention named Baruch file a provisional patent application (PPA) on his invention before competition began.
Before he disclosed his invention publicly, Baruch wanted to file for intellectual property protection. Ultimately, he felt more confident discussing his invention publicly after filing a PPA. Baruch is a member of inventRight’s free program for youth worldwide called Product Licensing for Young Entrepreneurs.
We interviewed him about his experience drafting his first provisional patent application at just 13 years old!
1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from?
My name is Baruch. I’m a 13-year-old from Brooklyn, NY. I enjoy reading (I was born on a bookworm day, really, it’s true!), studying science and history. I can play basketball seven days a week and never get tired of it.
2. How did you get interested in inventing? Have you always known you are a student inventor?
I’ve always asked a lot of questions about how things work and wondered if something could be done to make them work even better. My inspiration is my grandfather Joseph, a scientist and inventor, who always asks difficult questions and makes me think.
3. What is your motivation for inventing?
I like making life easier and safer for people around me and for myself.
4. What problems do your inventions solve? Who do they help?
Usually, it’s about taking something that already exists and modifying it so that it works better or solves a new problem. For example, I changed an allergy bag so that it became an organization tool. I also created a simple multi-functional wearable for patients that promotes their comfort and relaxation. The problems I try to solve are ones I’m familiar with through people I know or based on my experiences.
5. How did you learn about inventRight?
I was preparing for Western New York Invention Convention and learned that it’s a good idea to protect my inventions before making them public. When I looked at different companies, inventRight was the winner for me because they are run by inventors for inventors and have so much good information to learn from.
6. How did inventRight Coach Courtney Laschkewitsch help you? Are there any other people who helped you that you would like to give a shoutout?
Coach Courtney Laschkewitsch is amazing! InventRight has a youth mentoring program, which is free for young inventors, and Coach Courtney is a part of that. When I started, I needed to learn how to fill out a patent application, and she explained the whole process to me in a very clear and inspiring way, and also shared resources I could use. I saved so much time that way! The next step will be learning about licensing, and I cannot wait to continue working with Coach Courtney!
7. What was your experience like drafting and filing your first provisional patent application with inventRight’s SmartIP program? What did you learn?
It was not easy and it did take time, especially with the first one. However, the template guided me and saved tons of time. The language used is very specific for legal documents. Everything, including the text and illustrations, needs to be just right. If I were trying to do this by myself, I would not have met the deadline for my invention competition. (inventRight’s SmartIP was co-created with patent attorney Gene Quinn, founder of IPWatchdog.com.)
8. Did knowing that your inventions were “patent pending” when competing at Invention Convention impact your confidence?
Absolutely! I knew that participating in a competition would be considered a public disclosure of my inventions. So, knowing that my inventions had “patent pending” status gave me confidence to talk about them during the convention.
9. What was your favorite aspect of competing at Invention Convention this year?
I enjoyed meeting kids my age who are as excited about inventing and sharing their ideas as I am. There is so much we can do to make the world around us safer and more enjoyable.
10. Congratulations on winning a Director’s Choice Award and being recognized as a Master Inventor! That is so cool. What is your advice for other student inventors like yourself, who want to compete and be recognized for their creativity?
Thank you! I felt so honored because there were so many kids with really cool inventions at the convention! I’d say start with a problem you are really passionate about solving and come up with ideas that are going to help someone.
11. What are your plans for your inventions?
I cannot wait to start working on the steps to licensing… after my finals, that is!
