Dufur students tackle real-world problems through the 4-H Invention Convention program

Jul 7

Written By Columbia Community Connection

Photos from the Oregon 4-H Facebook page.

The Dalles, Ore., July 7, 2026 — Students at Dufur School spent part of their summer putting creativity and problem-solving skills to work through a four-week Oregon 4-H Invention Convention program, designing inventions aimed at solving everyday problems.

The project, led by Wasco County 4-H STEM Program Coordinator, introduced third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students to the engineering design process through a condensed version of the international Invention Convention curriculum. Oregon 4-H serves as the state's affiliate of the Invention Convention Worldwide program, an initiative of the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.

The program concluded with a classroom invention convention, where students presented their ideas to classmates and teachers. Among the inventions were the "Dishwasher 2.0," a device that attaches to a sink and features specialized bristles for cleaning reusable straws; the "Scrubby Buddy," a scrub brush with interchangeable cleaning plates; and the "SB (Splash Blocker)," designed to help teachers supervise students at the swimming pool without getting splashed.

The project encouraged students to identify real-world challenges, brainstorm solutions, build prototypes and explain how their inventions could improve everyday life.

Wasco County 4-H officials hope the program will inspire additional schools, educators and community volunteers to participate in future Invention Convention projects, expanding opportunities for students to develop science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills through hands-on learning.

The Invention Convention program is designed to foster creativity, critical thinking and entrepreneurship by challenging students to invent practical solutions to problems they encounter in their daily lives.