Largo fifth-grader designs lighted cane for visually impaired

Ask the scientist about his next invention, and he'll talk about tiny lights, reading spectacles and knobs.

"I'll name it MICROscopic glasses. They'll help those who have trouble seeing have a chance to read easier," he said.

The scientist, Kyle Cartier of Largo, knows a thing or two about vision trouble. When he was born 16 weeks premature, he weighed 1 pound, 4 ounces. His premature birth left him with no vision in his right eye and severely limited vision in his left eye.

Now 12 years old, Kyle's special needs played a part in his recent success at his school's science fair.

Three weeks ago, he was one of three winners in the fifth-grade division of the Pinellas Preparatory Academy's Invention Convention. The honor was for his "UR Seen" cane, designed to improve the safety of its user in the dark.

The youngster painted a traditional cane used by the visually impaired white and embedded an LED light into the cane's body.

The idea came from Kyle's visits to Lighthouse of Pinellas, a nonprofit agency located off Bryan Dairy Road that serves the blind and visually impaired. He has been a client at the organization since he was an infant, enrolled in occupational, physical, speech and vision therapy, as well as recreational activities.

When Kyle was given the science assignment, he discussed it with his mother, Katherine Cartier, and grandmother, Kathleen Lynch.

"My grandma said something about a cane for nighttime, and we knew it was a great idea," he said. "I don't use a cane, but I've met a lot of people at Lighthouse who can use this."

Kyle, an honors student, followed the directions created by the Invention Convention director, Suzanne Mizzi, a science and social studies teacher at Pinellas Prep. He kept a journal of his step-by-step research and made sure it hadn't been done before. He gathered supplies and created the prototype.

"Kyle also fulfilled the requirement of marketing his product," Mizzi said. "I was so impressed, and it is clear that his invention comes from his life experience. A thrilling part was how he was able to approach Lighthouse with the idea."

On May 19, Kyle showed his UR Seen cane to about 20 members of the Lighthouse's board of directors.

"He was just amazing," said Lynn Pickett, grants and public relations manager for the organization. "You would have thought he was talking to a group of his buddies, he was so comfortable. To me, he's like the genius who decided to put wheels on suitcases. We all should have thought of it but didn't."

The rising sixth-grader will look into patent requirements over the summer.

"I'd also like to figure out how to make it light up in the dark on its own," he said.

Piper Castillo can be reached at pcastillo@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4163.