IEEE NH Section Presents Electric & Humanity Awards

IEEE NH Section Presents Electric & Humanity Awards at Northern New England Invention Convention Regional Finals

Top Student Inventors Advance to National Competition

Program Showcases Invention Education,
Supports Workforce & Economic Development

Scott M. with his award-winning
invention, the Sidequest.

2026 Northern New England Invention Convention

[Durham, New Hampshire] — Creativity, problem-solving, and ingenuity were on full display at the Northern New England Invention Convention on March 21, where K–12 students showcased original inventions designed to tackle real-world challenges. After a day of judging and demonstrations, top student innovators have been selected to advance to the 2026 RTX Invention Convention U.S. Nationals, where they will compete with peers from across the country June 5-7 at The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Deaborn, MI.

Hosted by the Young Inventors’ Program at the University of New Hampshire, the 40th annual event brought together 162 students from 20 schools/sites across the New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. Students presented inventions addressing issues ranging from animal welfare, environmental sustainability, home improvement and more.

The NH Section of IEEE has been a champion of the Young Inventors’ Program for over a decade to support its initiative to foster technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. Two young inventors received the IEEE Electric Award and IEEE Technology for Humanity prizes at this year’s Invention Convention.

IEEE Electric Award
Scott M., Grade 8, Auburn, NH
Invention: The Sidequest
Description: An adaptive controller for someone with a little hand that can’t grasp a remote controller to play Meta Quest (VR gaming)

IEEE Technology for Humanity Award
Emma K., Grade 3, Bedford, NH
Invention: The Tunebuckler
Description: A car seatbelt attachment that plays music when buckled to encourage kids to buckle their seatbelt in the car.

“IEEE is the world’s largest society of technical professionals, publishing the most cited papers in U.S. patent applications for over a decade. These young innovators are the future of our professions and the future of our country. The inspiration of the older students and aspirations of the younger ones are a delight,” said Jim Isaak, President Emeritus of the IEEE Computer Society, a YIP sponsor, “Our tagline is ‘Advancing Technology for Humanity’, every one of the participants is on that path.” More information about the IEEE and its educational activities is available at https://tryengineering.org/ (Powered by IEEE)

The Northern New England Invention Convention is made possible through the support of sponsors, including University of New Hampshire Leitzel Center, Sheehan Phinney PLLC BOOST for Startups, Zach’s Contraptions, Torc, IEEE New Hampshire, ASHRAE of the Granite State, Eastern Propane and Oil, and Blue Dolphin Screenprint and Embroidery.

About the Young Inventors’ Program
Founded in 1986 by Dr. Robert H. Rines, the Young Inventors’ Program, a partner of the University of New Hampshire Leitzel Center and an Invention Convention Worldwide affiliated program, inspires the next generation of STEM leaders by fueling excitement for innovation. The Young Inventors’ Program aims to provide programs, pathways, and information to develop the intellectual capacity, critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities of all students so that they may become contributing and forward-thinking members of the science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the invention community. The program is recognized internationally as an educational resource center dedicated to promoting creativity, invention, and scientific achievement. YIP fuels the spark of genius by exciting today’s youth in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Learn more information about the Young Inventors’ Program at www.unh.edu/leitzel-center/young-inventors-program

Young Inventors looking for Virtual Judges – 2021 Northern New England Invention Convention

In a year full of innovation, the Young Inventors’ Program (YIP) continues to lead the way to engage students in hands-on learning within shifts to remote and hybrid school models. With more students learning at home and schools looking for STEM opportunities to complement their curricula, our program is strong across NH, MA, and VT. We have also welcomed new programs from Northern New Hampshire and Vermont, as well as a larger group of students inventing independently throughout our region and beyond to communities in FL, VA and CO. Each of these students is developing essential critical thinking and problem solving skills, as well as learning about invention design and entrepreneurship.

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Pre-University Grant Program Awards for 2017

IEEE NH Pre-University Committee has received many creative applications this year. We appreciate the effort of all of our Pre-University Grant applicants to improve the accessibility, understanding and application of STEM subjects. Our committee has approved funding the following projects:

John Fuller School, North Conway NH: Sixth graders in Ms. Lauren Beckwith’s and Ms. Kelly Horrigan’s class will build a SeaPerch ROV in a week-long intensive program and test the ROV in a pool. The grant will be used to purchase the SeaPerch kits. The grant proposal was submitted by Ms. Lauren Beckwith.
John Stark Regional High School, Weare NH: The grant will be used to purchase 10 Sphero SPRK minis. These will be available for use in PLTW Pre-Engineering, Computer Programming, Math and Physics classes. The grant proposal was submitted by Mr. Colin Stone.
West Running Brook Middle School, Derry NH: The Jr. Solar Sprint Club students will design and build solar cars and will participate in a local competition. The grant will be used to purchase the solar car kits. The grant proposal was submitted by Ms. Angela Barber.
Brookline School District, Hollis NH: An AR Sandbox, as described on University of California, Davis website will be built to give students a hands-on model to study and understand Earth Science and Mapping concepts. The grant will be used to purchase some of the required components. The grant proposal was submitted by Ms. Beth Penney and Ms. Jenny Lynch.

Pre-University Grant for 2020

IEEE NH 2020 Pre-University Grant was awarded to Emily Wilson and Jean Scanlan of Maple Wood Elementary School in Somerswoth NH. This grant will help them to purchase a set of Ozobots. These small robots will be used to introduce the third through fifth graders to coding. The project is part of the school’s Makerspace activities. The Makerspace is an integrated space into the school’s Library-Media Center. This space and its STEM activities started a few years ago for hands-on learning experiences. We congratulate Emily Wilson and Jean Scanlan for this wonderful project proposal and wish them the best in building the Makerspace.

Young Inventors Looking for Judges — sign up by April 15

Young Inventors’ Program (YIP), a STEM project-based learning program involves more than 3,000 students in grades K-12 from 50 schools and programs in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont (and even one student from Colorado). Each of these students is developing essential critical thinking and problem solving skills, as well as learning about invention design and entrepreneurship.

Each year, YIP welcomes 300 of the top inventors from around the region to compete in our Northern New England Regional Invention Convention for recognition, awards and the opportunity to advance to the Invention Convention US Nationals. This competition has always been a highlight of the year for many of our students and teachers. And, with recent changes in our world, we wanted to ensure that our inventors did not miss out on this transformative experience.

Young Inventors’ Program (YIP) developed plans for a Virtual Northern New England Invention Convention. We coordinated with our local teachers and our partners at Invention Convention Worldwide (host of the U.S. Nationals) to establish a format and timeline for our 2020 competition.

Now, more than ever, we need your support and we hope that we can count on you to judge our talented inventors as we move forward to honor and celebrate them.

Link to Register to Judge:

https://forms.gle/HKWKSagHzCa2FCwA7

Judging Time Commitment & Timeline

Judging commitment is flexible and can be accomplished when you have the time. You will be part of a team of judges who will evaluate 4-6 minute video presentations from our young inventors. Students are required to submit a video in which they showcase their invention, explain the problem they attempted to solve, describe their design process, and display their model/prototype. Depending on the grade level, you may be judging 8-12 videos.

Training

Guidance on how to judge
How the judging score sheet works
FAQs & Webinar to help you orient to the new process (see below to RSVP to April 22 live webinar)

Time Commitment

45 minutes for training & review evaluation tools
Join us for a live webinar or on-demand playback
2+ hours to view and evaluate 8-12 videos
Videos are capped at 6 minutes each
1 hour deliberation with other grade level judges
Judging teams will pick their time for deliberation (no later than May 3)

Timeline

April 9-19: Students register & upload materials
April 15: Judges confirm volunteering
April 22: Judges’ live training & receive judging assignments
April 22 – May 3: Judges evaluate inventions & deliberate
Deliberations must be scheduled with judging teams to pick winner
May 3: Judges send winner lists to staff
May 9 (tentative): Awards ceremony

Judging Orientation

Join us for a webinar and Q&A to orient you to the judging process.

Judge Orientation Webinar

April 22 at 4 pm

RSVP here

For questions about judging, please contact Tina White at twhite@aas-world.org.

IEEE New Hampshire 2020 Election Results

The Executive Committee of the New Hampshire Section of IEEE is please to present the results of the 2020 elections.

We would like to thank everyone for participating in the elections process and especially thank those who have volunteering to serve our members in leadership roles.

Executive Committee

Chair	James Isaak
Vice Chair	Katherine Reagan
Secretary	Hayley Feyh
Treasurer	John Arico
Member-At-Large	Virbahu Jain

Chapter Offices

Communications and Signal Processing

Chair	Ali Hammoodi
Vice Chair	Mimi Tam

Computer Society

Chair	Virbahu Jain
Vice Chair	Katherine Reagan
Secretary	Barbara Bancroft

Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society

Chair	Xiaojing Zhang
Vice Chair	J Michael OConnor

Microwave Theory and Techniques / Antenna and Propagation

Chair	Ian Armstrong
Vice Chair	Ali Hammoodi
Secretary	Thomas O. Perkins

Power and Energy Society

Chair	Tom Mongeon
Vice Chair	Ronald Tabroff

Robotics and Automation Society

Chair	Mimi Tam
Vice Chair	Virbahu Jain

Affiliate Groups

Consultants Network

Chair	Madeleine Lowe
Vice Chair	Raymond Barrett Jr

Life Members

Chair

J Michael OConnor

Women In Engineering / Young Professionals

Chair	Mimi Tam
Vice Chair	Hayley Feyh
Secretary	Katherine Reagan

Networking is Not Just A Technology

As a software engineer, when I hear the term networking, wires and switches come to my mind. Thinking of networks, I contacted my network engineer today to add another server to the server room and cannot WAIT to start playing with the new server. I understand networking and the importance of having a well-established technical network. Even though my career is fulfilling, that server room is dim with annoying flashing lights. And my office outside the room has terrible lighting and the AC duct might need a new filter. Getting out of the stuffy office is the reason for IEEE-WIE/YP annual hiking event.

We need fresh air to live and breathe.

This year, we marched into Welch and Dickey Loop Trail (Thornton, New Hampshire) to peep on some beautiful scenery and jaw dropping views. The orange and reds popped from miles away. This famous trail is NOT the best kept secret because the parking lot was packed. However, even with the Boston crowds, the event was a blast for everyone involved. We had a diverse group with some well-seasoned hikers to a complete newbie. But even though there was a level of experience, we all stuck together and networked by swapping stories and life experienced. Maura Moran, a technology patent lawyer shared her experience with IEEE-USA and how IEEE has given her additional opportunity to advocate technology to our representatives. My friend Ed Nelson and I used the mountain to vent our shared frustrations with our previous installs. Venting felt great but ceased once we reached the paths overlooks. Afterwards the conversation switched to how majestic the White Mountains are during the fall season.

All in all, the hike was 4.5 miles and we completed it in 6 hours. The day was long, the company was great, and the experience was a positive one. The Chapter cannot wait to hold it again next year!

Article submitted by Kat Reagan,
Section Chair, NH Section, Region 1

IEEE Student Branch News

The Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers Student Branch is hosting technical seminars at NCC. We are an NCC club that meets regularly on Wednesday at noon in room 307. Our last seminar was titled “Analytics, Social Media and Privacy”. The seminar was presented by Mr. Jim Isaak a very accomplished member of IEEE. Among his accomplishment are 30 year industry career with many position of great responsibility, past president of Computer Society and current chair of IEEE USA Committee on Social Responsibility.

Mr. Isaak presented a talk on how the big data and IA combined with social media allows companies to gather information about us. Marketing companies can target us with adds, but the implications are much further reaching than just selling jeans or household goods. Do you know that you do not have to have a Facebook account to be followed by Facebook. Just ten clicks on a “like” gives them your profile. With 100 clicks they know more about you than your spouse, parent or child and the amount of information just increases with every click.

The talk was followed by an informal session over pizza. This was a joint event between Student Branch, NH Computer Society and IEEE Life Members. The conversations between students and seasoned professionals were very valuable. Everybody enjoyed the seminar so much that we continued the conversation for another three hours.

Young Inventors 2019

IEEE NH Participated in the annual Young Inventors competition on March 31st at SNHU. This regional event brings in students from the region, including New Hampshire ranging from Kindergarten to High School. IEEE NH provides two awards: one for an Electrical Project, and a second for a Design project.

Our Electrical award went to the project “Water Your Plants ”

Young Inventors 2019 Electrical Award Winner

Our Design Award went to a young inventor that developed and built her own combination wheel chair and walker capable of handling curbs.

Design award for a combination wheelchair and walker

Young Inventors 2019 Design Award Winner

Other projects that caught our engineering perspective included:

A hat mounted camera with cloud connection that would identify objects and “speak” the name, then encourage the wearer to repeat that name. The target users are autistic children whose attention wanders and have trouble in speech development.
A robot for delivering medicines in a hospital setting using RFID to assure proper location for delivery.
An IoT type system for weather monitoring using AI to predict disaster events
A pendant for recognizing voice vibrations and providing an easy to understand “voice” for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

The program only allows a student to receive two awards, so between IEEE, other sponsors, and the general judging, all of these students received awards and recognition for their innovative work.

Our thanks to NH IEEE Members who helped with the project evaluation: Ed Nelson, Eric Dano, Jeffrey Zampieron, Kat Reagan, Mary E Brzezenski, Matt Bowers, Thomas Batton, and Jim Isaak

Engineers for Vegan Feast – 1st Joint Event for the NH + Boston IEEE & SWE

This is the 1st Joint “membership” Event organized/sponsored by 4 organizations (SWE Boston + SWE SNH + IEEE Boston WIE + IEEE NH WIE). Everyone participated had a wonderful time. Food was good. The topic of veganism was briefly discussed and some veganism material was also distributed for leisure consumption at a later time.

Friendship was forged despite the short encounter. Plans were made to have more social events of a similar nature in the fall season e.g. hiking, pot luck vegan dinner, cooking class, wine tasting, etc. For professional development events, our next one will likely be in the last week of May – a workshop named – Rise and Shine Workshop – (An evening event with speakers and round table discussions on how to be assertive, effective & outshine your fellow engineers in all things you do…and…is the desire to outshine an ego trip?)