Teen Inventor Turns Daily Problem Into Prize-Winning Solution
Many people become frustrated when several tissues come out at once while opening a new box. To fix that tiny but familiar inconvenience, Um Ju-yeon, a first-year student at Daejeon Eoeun Middle School, created the “Tissue Box That Neatly Dispenses the First Sheet.”
Her idea earned the Prime Minister’s Award at the 46th National Student Science Invention Contest. When asked what helped her come up with such an impressive invention, Um explained that she carefully observes daily life to spot inconveniences worth solving. Watching people struggle with tissue boxes made her curious whether she could improve them. After several rounds of testing and redesign, she developed a model that dispenses tissue sheets cleanly and separately.
She also offered advice to other young inventors: stay observant, keep trying, and don’t be discouraged by setbacks. “Ideas can come from the smallest moments in daily life,” she said proudly.
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1. What problem did Um Ju-yeon try to solve with her invention?
2. Who created the “Tissue Box That Neatly Dispenses the First Sheet”?
3. How did Ju-yeon come up with the idea for her tissue box invention?
4. Why did Ju-yeon test and redesign her invention several times before finishing it?
1. Would you like to invent something to solve a daily problem?
2. How do you notice small problems in everyday life that could be fixed?
3. Have you ever tried something several times until it worked better, like Ju-yeon did?
4. What motivates you to keep trying when your first idea does not work?
Many people become frustrated when several tissues come out at once while opening a new box. To fix that tiny but familiar inconvenience, Um Ju-yeon, a first-year student at Daejeon Eoeun Middle School, created the “Tissue Box That Neatly Dispenses the First Sheet.”
