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Mieczakowski’s invention, Beach Caddy 3000, transports beach necessities such as chairs, buckets and even water. At the Connecticut Invention Convention in May, Mieczakowski’s caddy won a Recognized Inventor Award. More than 11,000 students submitted inventions for the contest, and 770 advanced to the finals. He was one of about 15 in his class to win an award.
The genesis behind Mieczakowski’s invention was to help him enjoy his time at the beach. “We spend a lot of time there,’’ he said. “I have three younger siblings, and they always ask me to help bring things. I wanted to make something that would help make it easier.”
The caddy, which can help lug items from the car to the beach, also includes a garbage tote, valve, hose and wheels. It can even help build sand castles and other sculptures since Mieczakowski can bring water from the ocean or lake without having to make numerous trips.
“There was a lot of planning to it,’’ Mieczakowski said. “At first the tote wouldn’t attach, so I had to make a frame. Then I wanted to make it taller, but it wasn’t real sturdy. It took a lot of work to get it right.”
Mieczakowski said the science project had to revolve around hydroelectric power, and his family’s frequent summer visits to the beach helped him to come up with the idea. “We recently went to Florida and we have a time share in Newport,’’ he said. “It’s a little difficult to help my siblings and I wanted to get it done with one shot.”
The young inventor used a wrench, circular saw, screw driver and hammer to build his caddy. “I was surprised it made it to the finals,’’ he said. “When we entered it, I didn’t even have a full description. I added to it after we entered it. Some friends helped me and they helped with some of the ideas. I would go into class and build it.”
Mieczakowski said he loves to play football and wants to play in the NFL when he grows up. “If I don’t I’ll be an engineer,’’ he said. “I like math. I’m already doing Algebra. Math comes pretty easily to me.”
He also enjoys the inventing process, and is tinkering with objects around the home. “I like to take things and modify them just to make them look better and get them working better,’’ he said.
The short term goal, though, is to finish school and try out his invention at the beach. “I’m convinced it’s going to work,’’ Mieczakowski said. “It could still use some more modifications.”
