Students from Highline School Disctrict’s Aviation High School in Des Moines have developed two inventions and are applying for a patent for one of them.

Students developed one invention while designing and building a hovercraft in science class. Students decided a practical use for hovercraft might be to use them to move heavy store shelves, allowing staff to clean under them and re-arrange displays. The concept of the hovercraft was joined with shelving to produce “hovershelving”. Students researched the idea and found that there was nothing like it in existence.  They have applied for a patent through the United States Patent Office.

“How many high school students can add ‘patent pending’ to their college applications?” asked Aviation High School teacher Larry Welch.

Studying house systems led to another invention.  While looking at electrical, heating, and plumbing systems, students learned that the average person uses about 50 gallons of water today–about 200 gallons for a family of four. With the goal of conserving water, students designed a model home that separates graywater (non-sewage wastewater) from total wastewater. The graywater can be stored and used to irrigate lawns and gardens.  Many states allow graywater use, but Washington does not, citing environmental and health issues.

On Monday, October 20, students will present their model home idea to State Representative Dave Upthegrove. Students hope to convince Representative Upthegrove, chairman of the ecology committee, to promote legislation to allow graywater use in Washington.

Aviation High School’s mission is to be the premier public high school of choice for students in King County and the region who wish to pursue their passion for aviation and aerospace in a learning environment that prepares them for higher education, citizenship, and work.

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