Olivia and Brynna, 5th Graders, Their Game is in Target!

Olivia Wasilewski and Brynna Siewers, 5th graders, on winning the Young Inventor Challenge in 2016 and getting their game in Target!
How did you first hear about the Young Inventors Challenge?
From our ALPS (Accelerated Learning Program for Students) teacher, Mrs. McNamara. It was an assignment for our fall project in 4th grade.
Was your idea for Ship of Treasures something you’d always thought about or was it because of the Challenge?
It was specifically for the challenge.

How did you first come up with the idea?
We originally did a pirate scavenger hunt and then eventually turned that idea into the Ship of Treasures board game.
What was the most challenging part of inventing and developing Ship of Treasures?
Writing out and thinking out the exact directions on how to play the game. It took the longest amount of time and the most amount of work.
What was the most fun part of inventing and developing Ship of Treasures?
Working with adults! They didn’t make us call them Mr. or Ms. like in school, they treated us like their equals. We loved working with Jeff Pinsker, Kelly Adams and David Norman at Pressman Games. We looked forward to our weekly meeting with them and they helped us make Ship of Treasures the best game it could be. And we loved working with Mark Thoma at Target, he showed us the coolest stuff and we think he might have the best job ever. His office is filled with toys!
What advice do you have for other kids thinking of inventing a game?
Have fun, take risks, work hard test the game out on family and friends.
Has this experience inspired you to invent more?
Yes!!!
What was the best part of being involved in the Young Inventors Challenge?
Olivia: Winning!
Brynna: Meeting and working with all the people at ChiTAG, Pressman Toy and Target.