Bryston Jennings likes to grill marshmallows over a campfire, but it doesn't always come out just right when he's using a skewer.
"I hate whenever my marshmallow gets burned," he explained.
So, for his Marketplace for Kids invention, the Lewis and Clark Elementary fourth-grader came up with the idea of an electric gadget that could grill marshmallows and other items evenly over a fire. Bryston and his dad adapted an electric drill for the purpose and attached a long, wooden skewer to the drill.
"It's heavy," said Bryston, but he thinks they could make a lighter prototype.
Bryston's was one of dozens of inventions on display Tuesday at the Minot State University Dome during the annual Marketplace for Kids. Third, fourth and fifth-graders participated in the event and also attended different classes on entrepreneurship and invention.
Meg Fleck, a fifth-grade teacher at Edison Elementary, said all of the fifth-graders at Edison are required to come up with an invention for Marketplace. Most make their inventions at home with the help of their parents.
"We don't really devote a lot of school time to it," she said.
Fleck said participating in Marketplace for Kids helps kids be creative and also learn how they can market their creations if they want to take their inventions further.
Candace Sobota, a fifth-grader in Fleck's class, was a little nervous about coming up with an invention for the show, but Fleck said Candace's idea of an umbrella that can be attached to a bicycle is a great idea.
Adriana Bakk, a fourth-grader at Lewis and Clark Elementary, came up with the idea of a miniature screen that can be strapped to the top of someone's shoe.
"Adults don't get enough TV time," explained Adriana, who said users can sit down, kick their feet up and watch TV on the screen. She said she doesn't know if adults would be able to use it at work, but she sees no reason why they couldn't watch TV on their lunch breaks.
Iris Jessen, a fourth-grader at Lewis and Clark Elementary, said her teacher doesn't like it when students get up too often to throw things away in the classroom trash can. Iris's solution is a miniature trash can that can be attached to a desk. Iris's dad bought the materials and helped her build a model. Her trash can is a good solution for a messy desk and won't disrupt the classroom, Iris said.
Edison Elementary fifth-grader Parker Larson said her idea is a biodegradable light bulb made of paper that will dissolve in water and a base that is 100 percent recyclable.
"I wanted it to be green," said Parker, though she isn't quite sure how a paper light bulb will light up a room without bursting into flames.
Marketplace for Kids events are held throughout the state.
Kids with Marketplace for Kids projects can take their projects to the next level and enter the Bright Ideas Showcase and Contest at the North Dakota State Fair this summer. There will be cash prizes awarded for the competition at the fair. Tuesday's event was not a contest but a showcase for kids' inventions.