The Calistoga HeatSync InvenTeam
Our Calistoga HeatSync InvenTeam is very appreciative of all the support that has been given from our community and anyone overall who has been continuously showing interest! We were incredibly excited to have been able to hold our MGTR at Sonoma State University and have people come to see our progress with our prototypes. We had two MGTRs in one because we presented our InvenTeam device for Firefighters and our L-MIT Capstone class device for Agricultural Field Workers. This month has been filled not only with lots of fundraising but incredible opportunities. Our InvenTeam has never stopped putting their energy into this amazing group and invention.
Mid-Grant Technical Review
Our Mid-Grant Technical Review was very successful for our InvenTeam! We had Lemelson-MIT Invention Education Manager, Cristina Saenz, come to see us at Sonoma State. It was a great feeling to be able to get feedback from her as well as finally being able to talk to her. Our Superintendent, Dr. Pittman, and Principal Monica Baldenegro also came from the Calistoga Junior Senior High School. We were surprised to see the room filled with people full of interest, coming to each stand and asking great questions. Although we were all nervous, we held an event that was productive and positive. Our beneficiaries, the Calistoga Firefighters and Agriculture Workers also attended our MGTR. Sonoma State's Engineering Department gave us commentary, which our small teams took note of. On top of it all, we came with 3 large buses and 130 students total from Calistoga Junior Senior High School. This was because we wanted to present all of our Invention Education projects from Lemelson-MIT, known as JV InvenTeams, to Dr. Saenz from L-MIT. Our Junior High students presented "Chill Out" and our Physics students presented a combination of "Electronic Textiles and Toymaking" to everyone at the same time. These opportunities have truly impacted not only our InvenTeam and Capstone class students, but our entire Calistoga Junior and Senior High School! This has furthermore inspired students to flourish on their creative side and not be afraid to let their ideas come alive. Thank You Lemelson-MIT and Sonoma State Engineering for supporting us and making our school environment a better place for learning and growing! 🤍
Progress after MGTR
It is always a pleasure to be able to work with someone who has the time to teach our team something new and how we can improve specifically towards our prototypes. Mr. Bryce Jensen, our advisor from Sonoma State Electrical Engineering came to visit our classroom and presented a detailed wiring lecture to help further advance our inventions. This was a direct result of our MGTR presentations. It is important to be able to listen to our feedback from the MGTR and learn more in order for our ideas to come to life, and for them to be truly helpful and useful for our beneficiaries. 
Fundraising
Calistoga HeatSync non-stop tries to get our successful InvenTeam out there. Having been able to get much recognition and support from our community businesses has been remarkable. This month we held two Dine & Donate's. A Valentine's Day-themed Dine & Donate was held on February 13th at Gott's Roadside in St.Helena. It was perfect to be able to go with your friends or family members on a Valentine's Eve. In the following two weeks, we held another Dine & Donate at our favorite barbeque place in Calistoga, Buster's Barbeque and Bakery. On February 24th from 3:00-7:00 pm, we also had a fundraising table at Buster's and informed people where the 10% of proceeds would be going. In addition, fundraising at stores such as Safeway, Calmart, and even the Farmer's Market in Calistoga has gotten us more recognition and volunteers from the community to help support us. This month was considered a good fundraising February! As a result, we were able to raise an estimate of $4,350! We keep on cherishing the amount of encouragement given to our InvenTeam! 🤍
Press
Calistoga L-MIT Inventeam x Napa Valley Education Foundation Media Day Final Video, click the link below to watch please!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OjZ3TO2B6itFHXq3R9tZPu3fH7qBWqrt/view?usp=sharing
