The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation Season 2 Episode 23 Drought Balls

In season 2 episode 23 of The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation, "Drought Balls," host Mo Rocca explores a unique solution to California's drought problem, an innovative way to turn ocean waves into renewable energy, and a device that helps children with mobility disabilities play basketball.

First up, Rocca travels to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to learn about a new technology that uses small, tennis ball-sized balls to conserve water during a drought. These "drought balls" are dropped into reservoirs to create a barrier between the sun and the water, preventing evaporation and saving millions of gallons of water. Rocca meets with the inventor of the drought ball and learns how this innovative solution is being implemented to help combat water scarcity in California.

Next, Rocca heads to the coast of Oregon to see a wave energy converter in action. Developed by a company called Columbia Power Technologies, this device harnesses the power of ocean waves to create renewable energy. Rocca speaks with the engineers behind the technology and learns how it could change the way we think about clean energy.

Finally, Rocca visits a basketball court in New York City to meet with the inventor of the "Mobility Hoop." This device is designed to help children with mobility disabilities participate in the sport of basketball by lowering the height of the hoop and providing extra support for wheelchairs. Rocca speaks with the inventor and several children who use the Mobility Hoop to play basketball with their friends.

Throughout the episode, Rocca highlights the ingenuity and creativity of these inventors and their inventions. Whether it's conserving water with drought balls, harnessing the power of the ocean with wave energy converters, or making basketball accessible to everyone with the Mobility Hoop, these innovations demonstrate the power of human innovation in solving some of our biggest problems.