YOUNG Innovators

Group of girls known as The Flying Monkeys pose for the camera
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Meet the Flying Monkeys

The very first FIRST® Lego League Global Innovation Award ceremony was held at the USPTO Headquarters in Alexandria, VA in June 2011.

First place was awarded to the Flying Monkeys, a team composed of 11 and 12 year old Girl Scouts from Ames, Iowa. Their invention, the BOB-1 Hand Device, enabled a toddler born without fingers to hold a pencil and write for the first time. On September 23, 2014, the young inventors were granted Patent No. US 8840157!

News Articles

Girl Scouts' Prosthetic Hand Device to Get Patent

Flying Monkeys Share Advice With Youth

Are you the parent or guardian of a young inventor, maker or entrepreneur? Contact us, we'd like to hear your story!