An idea conceived in eighth grade blossomed into a state science fair project. After further research and development, it evolved into an entry for an entrepreneurial competition. Now, it’s a prizewinning prototype that may soon be patented.

Juan Diego Catholic High sophomore Lana Chan recently won the grand prize of $10,000 for her device, which translates alarms into vibrations for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, at the 2025 Tim Draper High School Utah Entrepreneur Challenge. The event was organized by the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the University of Utah.

The competition featured the top 20 projects, which were presented to judges as part of a business-idea contest offering $30,000 in cash prizes and scholarships. The challenge was open to all high school students across Utah.

Chan’s grand-prize-winning project, Sound Sense, tackles the issue that deaf or hard-of-hearing people often fail to notice alarms, which can place them in dangerous situations. Her prototype uses a sound sensor to detect various alarm sounds and converts them into distinct vibration sequences to alert the wearer.

“This will help hearing impaired people be aware of when any alarms are going off,” she said, adding it could enable them to become more independent.

Chan first learned about the entrepreneurial challenge as a sixth grader when her sister, Erin, and her teammates entered in 2021 and won with the Acti-Vest. This vest uses ultrasonic sensors to measure the distance between obstacles and a visually impaired wearer to warn them of approaching objects.

“I decided I wanted to apply with an invention of my own,” said the younger Chan. “In eighth grade, I decided to do an engineering project for science fair. When I was researching ideas, I asked ‘What are real world problems I can try to solve? Who can I try to help?’ I wanted to do something that would be useful to people and something that could make it onto the market.”

Her first prototype for Sound Sense was designed with all the components clearly visible.

After competing at the Utah Science and Engineering Fair, Chan refined the design, compacting it to demonstrate its complexity in a smaller form.

This summer, she’s planning to work on the third prototype.

“It’s going to be more compact with smaller parts,” Chan said. “The plan is to have it be a small disc device to wear as a bracelet or watch, or even as a necklace.”

She also intends to have the device tested by people who are hearing impaired and evaluated by doctors and specialists in the field.

In addition, Chan has developed a business plan for Sound Sense.

“The whole basis of my model is to make it affordable for everyone. The cost right now is about $14, but that's buying parts individually and it being full size. Once you buy mass components and scale it down, I’d think it can be a lot cheaper than that. I'd probably be able to sell it for around $20 and make a good amount of profit that would go back into the business and then also, into my college fund,” she said. “A couple of the judges gave me contacts for how I can get it patented, and also, some feedback how I can improve it so I can push it onto the market.”

Although Chan felt comfortable speaking with the judges—having previously presented projects during her school’s Advanced Placement Seminar class and interviewing to become a school ambassador—she enjoyed the process of assembling the components to create her device.

“I want to study computer science or engineering and work in tech; I enjoy coding and designing things and building them,” said Chan who knows Python, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Java and other coding languages. “I’m planning on taking the two AP computer science courses my school offers.”

She also is an active member of the school’s media club, senate, and participates in the wrestling and lacrosse teams.

As for the competition, Chan, along with the other 19 finalists, received $100 and a spot in the Lassonde Founders program, which includes a $1,000 housing scholarship for the Lassonde Studios.

Second place was awarded to Hillcrest High’s Microplastic Purifier team, while third place went to the Backpack Banner team from Highland High and West High. Skyline High’s GreenDream team received $2,000 University of Utah College of Science scholarships.λ