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Rossland student places third in Junior Dragons Den Championship

A Rossland Summit School student placed third in this year’s Junior Dragons Den.
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Allison Plamondon presents her project at the Junior Dragons Den Championship. (Submitted)

A Rossland Summit School student placed third in this year’s Junior Dragons Den.

Allison Plamondon placed third in the junior division (Grades 8-10) of the Junior Dragons Den Championship that took place in Trail on May 6. Her project was called Deb Step.

“It was a … technology bracelet,” explains Plamondon. “It was to be used to improve motor control in Parkinson’s patience — that was my original idea, but then I expanded my target market to anyone who has mobility deficiencies or just likes to dance and boost their physical activity.”

Given that Plamondon estimated her startup costs at $85,000, she was only able to present Deb Step in concept, but a wearer could upload their songs to the bracelet and, using motion sensors, it would keep track of how often the wearer moved with the beat, scoring them accordingly.

Plamondon’s idea was inspired by her grandmother.

“My idea came from my grandma who has Parkinson’s and I saw her playing Just Dance. She could barely walk, but when she played Just Dance she could dance again, which was really crazy,” she explained. “So I saw how the music impacted her and I just wanted her to be able to have a device that she could take anywhere with her.”

Plamondon said participating in Junior Dragons Den was a great experience. She learned to present her ideas in front of others, improve on an elevator pitch, create a business plan and use spreadsheets.

“The mentors were really phenomenal as well,” she said.

She will save the money she won toward her education fund. She thinks she may got to school to be a teacher or to pursue math and science.