Lake County 4-H Youth Advances to National Invention Convention
Lake County 4-H Youth Advances to National Invention Convention
MacArthur Elementary student earns state recognition for original “Cooker 3000” invention
CROWN POINT, Ind. — Lake County 4-H member Michelle Neacsu recently earned statewide recognition for her creativity and problem-solving skills at the third annual Indiana 4-H STEM Showcase in Indianapolis.
Michelle, a fifth-grade student at MacArthur Elementary School in Crown Point, competed in the 2026 Indiana 4-H Invention Convention Competition with her project, the “Cooker 3000.” She received an Honorable Mention and was invited to represent Indiana at the RTX Invention Convention U.S. Nationals, June 3–5 at The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, Michigan.
Michelle is a member of the Saddle and Spurs 4-H Club and is in her second year of 4-H. She said the program has helped her build confidence while learning new skills.
“I like 4-H because nothing is easy and you work with other students,” Michelle said. “I’ve learned leadership skills by reading announcements in front of at least 30 people and by presenting at the Lake County Fair.”
Michelle said she felt nervous when arriving at the state competition, knowing she would present her invention to judges she had never met.
“What made me most proud was that the judges and the audience liked my Cooker 3000,” she said.
The Indiana 4-H Invention Convention challenges students in grades 3–12 to identify a real-world problem and develop an original invention to address it. Participants research their idea, build a prototype, and present their invention process to judges and other young innovators.
Youth interested in trying the program themselves can register now for the Lake County 4-H Invention Convention summer program, which will meet Mondays in June from 9 a.m. to noon at the Purdue Extension Lake County office in Crown Point. Participants will demonstrate their inventions at the Lake County Fair and may have the opportunity to advance to state and national competitions. The program fee is $30, or $15 for youth already enrolled in 4-H.
Lake County 4-H Educator Kasey Wilhoit said the experience encourages innovation and helps youth see how their ideas can make a difference.
“This competition empowers kids to be creative and use their imagination,” Wilhoit said. “It also encourages them to use their voice to advocate for problems they see in the world around them.”
Wilhoit said the opportunity to develop and present an original idea can have a lasting effect.
“Experiences like this show kids that they can make an impact on the people around them,” she said. “It also shows them that they can do whatever they put their minds to.”
Michelle said she is excited for the opportunity— and for what comes next in 4-H.
“I’m looking forward to doing well at Invention Convention Nationals and becoming president of our club,” she said. “Right now, I’m the vice president.”
For more information about Lake County 4-H programs or to register for the summer Invention Convention program, visit extension.purdue.edu/lake or contact the Purdue Extension Lake County office at 219-755-3240.
About Lake County 4-H
Lake County 4-H, part of Purdue Extension, provides hands-on learning experiences that help young people develop leadership, civic engagement, and life skills. Through projects in areas such as STEM, agriculture, creative arts, and community service, youth explore their interests while building confidence and problem-solving abilities.
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