Former Middle School Students Score Big as Their Invention Hits the Global Market

Pittsburgh, PA, and Grove City, PA – In a remarkable journey from classroom innovation to market success, Mia Mertz and Madison Mulato, two former eighth-grade students from Grove City Middle School, have significantly impacted the world of invention.

Their product, "The No Cry™ Hair Tie," began as a school project in the Inventionland Education Applied STEM Innovation Course and has now reached a global audience after winning top honors in Inventionland's Invention Contest.

After securing first place in their middle school contest, Mia and Madison advanced to win the Regional Invention Contest in the middle school division in 2022. This achievement earned them an invitation to an exclusive video podcast hosted by George Davison, founder of Inventionland and host of the Emmy-nominated television show "Tomorrow's World Today," which is now in its seventh season and airs on the Discovery and Science channels. Mr. Davision was so impressed with their invention that he helped them secure a licensing agreement through Jokari, a global manufacturing and distribution company.

Their product was unveiled and showcased at The Inspired Home Show in Chicago, formerly the International Home + Housewares Show. The event, the largest of its kind in the world, attracts professionals from over 120 countries to discover new products and industry trends. It provided the perfect stage for Mia and Madison to introduce their creation to a global market, marking a significant milestone in their transition from student inventors to real-world entrepreneurs.

The No Cry Hair Tie is now available globally on Amazon.com and is working its way through retail distribution channels after gaining strong buyer interest.

Dr. Joshua Weaver, Assistant Superintendent of the Grove City Area School District, expressed immense pride in Mia and Madison's accomplishments. "Their success underscores our district's commitment to nurturing critical skills such as creativity, communication, and collaboration among our students," he stated.

Mr. Larry Connelly, Principal of Grove City Middle School, highlighted the immersive nature of the invention course and the sense of ownership it instills in students. "Empowering students to drive their learning is crucial," he emphasized, a sentiment echoed by teachers Ms. Karen Garland and Mr. Ben English, who guide students through the invention process.

Grove City Middle School offers a structured pathway for middle school students, featuring business, technology, career exploration, and CAD design courses. The Inventionland Education innovation course in the eighth grade is the culmination of this pathway, where students collaborate in teams to develop new products or enhance existing ones using Inventionland's 9-step inventing method.

George Davison, Founder of Inventionland Education, reiterated the organization's dedication to fostering young innovators. "Our goal is to nurture an innovation mindset from an early age," he said. "Mia and Madison's journey is a powerful testament to the potential of education to inspire creativity and drive real-world change."

Their story, from the halls of Grove City Middle School to the global retail marketplace, exemplifies the limitless possibilities for young minds when given the opportunity to explore, innovate, and leave their mark on the world.

About Inventionland Education:
Inventionland Education brings its award-winning applied STEM innovation curriculum and invention contests to K12 schools in America and overseas. They also design immersive, age-appropriate Innovation Labs® that inspire creativity and original thought, as well as a complete line of STEM and maker space professional development, delivered in-person or virtually. For more information, visit InventionlandEducation.com.