Kaileigh Kirton
Age: 11
Invention at Age: 9
Jacksonville, FL
In the springtime, cleaning out flower beds often wastes good soil. There is no easy way to separate usable soil from old leaves and mulch. This results in a great deal of soil landing in trash bags. Kaileigh remembered that it is easy to separate shells from the sand at the beach, using a little sifter which comes with a bucket. This is how she came up with a new idea. The “Sifting Shovel” is made of metal mesh which does not allow too much waste to fall through. This invention is beneficial because it provides a way to separate soil from leaves and mulch. It also is easier to lift the bags, because they are not half full of soil. In addition, it is good for the environment because the “Sifting Shovel” can be used to add yard waste to a compost pile.