SCHENECTADY — Sometimes confidence can make the difference.

In an annual competition for student inventors held in Schenectady, Berne-Knox-Westerlo usually boasts a few semi-finalists and at least one finalist. This year, Quinn Toomey, with his invention titled “Puzzle Table” made it to the May showcase of 25 models made by students from schools between New York City and Glens Falls.

Sixth-grade BKW teacher Ned Greene said he doesn’t handpick the entrants each year. Each student gets a shot at pitching his or her idea, using a form produced by the Invention Convention, held at the Museum for Innovation and Science.

“I let them know it’s still an achievement to see something to that level, whereas other people with great ideas that probably are worthy of some sort of notoriety, they didn’t see things all the way through,” said Greene. He added confidence is required for basics in life too, like applying for a job or admission to a college.

Twelve-year-old Quinn Toomey gets top grades and asks persistent questions, said Greene, who teaches him in science and social studies. Greene described Quinn as a quiet and helpful student.

 “Our cat, he sometimes jumps on the table and sometimes ruins the puzzle,” Quinn said of the family pet, Hobo, during his family’s Christmas puzzle-making tradition. On his entry sheet, Quinn also noted that people still need the table for eating, “but have no room to put your plate.”

The table he invented has a piece of wood that slides underneath, on which a puzzle can rest.

He said his parents first thought of the idea to help his older sister when she previously competed in the competition, but she didn’t win.

The Puzzle Table was one of 100 semi-finalists along with five other BKW students’ ideas: Glow Screen Protector by Renée Zieske, The Clob by Kelsie Apicelli, Grocery Grabber by Caleb Schrader, and Lawn Planter by Ezeke Pulliam.

As a fifth-grader, Quinn won first place at the BKW science fair for his presentation, “How to Get the Most Sap From Tree.”

Quinn said he wants to become a physical education teacher when he is older, since he loves sports.

“It’s just really fun to play dodgeball,” he said.