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Park Ha-eul, a 5th grader from Ulsan Daehyun Elementary School, won a presidential award at the 47th National Student Science Invention Competition for his invention designed to help his grandmother. Park's invention, titled 'A Door Handle that Reads Intent, a Door Handle that Remembers Feet,' changes its function based on the angle at which the handle is turned. When turned within about 45 degrees, it allows for normal door opening and closing, and when rotated beyond 70 degrees, a stopper at the bottom of the door automatically descends to secure the door.
This invention operates without any separate sensors or power sources, and its simple structure allows anyone to use it easily, making it economical. Park Ha-eul stated that he created the invention after seeing his grandmother, who has difficulty moving, struggle to hold the door while carrying delivery boxes.
Park expressed his feelings about winning, saying, "I wanted to gift this invention to my grandmother, so I spent a long time researching and challenging myself," and added, "I am happy to receive the presidential award on a national stage." The National Student Science Invention Competition has been held annually since 1979 to foster students' creativity and curiosity. This year's competition selected award-winning entries based on evaluations of creativity, inquiry, practicality, effort, and economy by a panel of 48 experts.