You can help make this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity happen for a teen, his invention and his family  

IDAHO FALLS — A local teen’s idea has landed him in a national competition, but he and his family need some help from the community to get there.  

Bingham Case, 13, attends American Heritage Charter School in Idaho Falls. He created an invention in school as part of a project. It’s called the R.A.A.P. Pad. 

“It’s intended to solve the problem of overpopulation as our global population grows. It’s hard to find space for houses, schools, and stores for us to keep living and expanding,” Case said. “So I invented the R.A.A.P. Pad to move those infrastructures.”

He created a model of it and explained to EastIdahoNews.com what it does. 

“It’s basically a recycled floating island, an artificial island. R.A.A.P. Pad stands for rubber, aluminum alloy, and plastic, which are the materials it’s made out of. It comes in different sizes, so if you’re a landlocked country, you can put them in lakes or reservoirs,” said Case. 

This invention could free up valuable space for homes, stores, or schools. The pad could also provide space for energy production or water purification plants.

Check out the diagram below to see an explanation of how his invention works.

Case won first place with the invention idea in its category in both the regional and state competitions. The category included futuristic inventions, which were judged on originality and imagination. 

Now, he has the chance to compete in nationals and meet other inventors his age. 

“I’m really excited about it. It’s a great opportunity that I have to share this idea, and I’m really glad that it is going super well,” he said. 

It’s called the Invention Convention U.S. Nationals 2025. It will take place at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan on June 4 to 6. According to its website, it “showcases student inventors from among thousands who compete at state and local invention competitions.” 

“Just to see him win first place here in Idaho is pretty cool. I’m quite amazed. Just proud of him when he said he wanted to do this invention convention,” said Kristen Case, Bingham’s mother. 

This might be a once-in-a-lifetime event for her son, and she’s hoping they can all get there as a family of five to watch and support him. That’s why she created a GoFundMe with a $3,000 goal. 

“The cost for us to travel as a family to Michigan, to pay for meals and lodging — it’s quite a bit. I just wanted him to be able to go to nationals, and I knew that without going into debt to do it, it wouldn’t be possible,” she said. “So I just created a GoFundMe, just hoping that some family and friends could help us out a little bit.”

As of Wednesday morning, $650 has been raised. “Any help will be immensely appreciated. Thank you in advance for helping Bingham and us!” the GoFundMe said. 

Each qualifying invention is eligible for patent application awards, cash prizes and scholarships. 

Bingham looks forward to it. 

“I feel (my invention) is going to do well and it’s just a great opportunity that I have to participate in,” he said.