By: Jacquelyn M. Rose, MPH

Connecticut Children’s Advancing Kids Innovation Program’s Social Innovation Spotlight highlights the contributions of social innovators in promoting the health and well-being of children and families. Our 3rd Social Innovation Spotlight is a double-feature, which highlights the contributions of two compassionate emerging leaders, innovators, and change makers: 5th grader Corinne Sutula and 8th grader Molly Deptula.

Corinne invented the Portable IV Vest, which is a vest that has pockets for all of the equipment on an IV pole. Corinne hopes the Portable IV Vest will help individuals, particularly those receiving infusions like her sister, maintain their mobility and independence during lengthy treatments.

Molly invented the Bully Band, which is a wristwatch-like device designed to capture audio recordings of bullying in schools. Currently, video captured by school cameras often lacks audio. Molly hopes the audio captured by the Bully Band, combined with video from school cameras, will give administrators all of the information they need to intervene and address bullying.

Corinne Sutula (left)  and Molly Deptula (right) at the National Invention Convention.

Connecticut Children’s is not the only organization recognizing Corinne’s and Molly’s impressive innovations. Locally, Corinne placed at her school’s Invention Convention, and then went on to place at both the regional and state Invention Conventions. She also won the 2018 SWENext CT Inventing Her Futures Awards from the Society of Women Engineers and the 3M Science Applied to Life, Business, or Home Award. In addition, she received the Connecticut Invention Convention Recognized Inventor Award. Even more impressive, Corinne placed 2nd in the 4th grade inventor category at the National Invention Convention and Entrepreneurship Expo in Deerborn, Michigan.

Locally, Molly placed at her school’s Invention Convention, and then went on to place at both the regional and state Invention Conventions. On a national stage, Molly won 1st place in the 7th grade inventor category and 3rd place in “Inventing Her Future” from the Society of Women Engineers at the National Invention Convention and Entrepreneurship Expo in Deerborn, Michigan.

In their Social Innovation Spotlight features, Corinne and Molly share more about their innovations and how they hope to support children’s optimal health, development and well-being.

Corinne and Molly, congratulations on all you have accomplished and thank you for giving Connecticut Children’s the opportunity to support your work. We look forward to learning about you invent next year!

Are you developing, testing, or growing strategies to promote children’s optimal healthy development? We would love to hear about your work! Please share your story with Connecticut Children’s Advancing Kids Innovation Program at advancingkids@connecticutchildrens.org.

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Jacquelyn M. Rose, MPH, is the program manager for Connecticut Children’s Advancing Kids Innovation Program.