Invention Convention
Join us at IU13 this December for a regional Invention Convention competition that recognizes students for creating innovative solutions to real-world problems! All students in grades 5-12 can showcase their invention at the regional competition on December 11th from 8:30-11:30 am! Students in grades K-4 are invited to register for the virtual event.
Competition Details
- Event Date: December 11th, from 9:00-11:30 am
- Event Location: IU13 Training & Conference Center
- Participants: Students in grades 5-12 are invited to participate in the in person competition at IU13.
- Students in grades K-4 are invited to participate in the virtual event.
- No cost
How Can I Participate?
- Read and review the “Framework for Invention.”
- Start an Invention Log (a journal of your process).
- Lessons and an Invention Log example can be found here.
- Find a problem to solve.
- Find solutions.
- Create a prototype.
- Test & refine your prototype.
- Make a short video about your invention (up to 3-minutes) that will be submitted, with your invention log, by December 4, 2024.
Additional Resources
- A full curriculum, including lessons and materials to guide the invention process, can be found at The Henry Ford’s site, K-12 Stem Education Curriculum | Free Invention Lesson Plans.
- For more information about the Pennsylvania Invention Convention competition, visit the Pennsylvania Invention Convention website.
- Pennsylvania Invention Convention Rubric
- Categories include: Invention Process, Invention Impact, Invention Communications
Important Dates
- Now- November 22nd: Regional registration is open now
- December 4th: Pitch video and logbook must be submitted. Specific details will be shared closer to this date.
- December 5th-10th: During this week, judges will review student videos and logbooks in preparation for seeing the invention in person on the regional competition day.
- December 11th: Showcase and Award Ceremony (9:00-11:30 am) at The Conference & Training Center at IU13
9:00-9:30 am: Students will arrive and set their project up
9:30-10:00 am: Projects will be open for judges to view and talk with students.
10:00-11:00 am: Open to ESTC participants to explore
11:00-11:20 am: Awards Ceremony
11:30 am: Dismissal
Note: Due to the shortened schedule and the Elementary & Secondary Technology Conference that day, lunch will not be provided. - February 2025: State Competition
The first-place winner in each category will be invited to the State Competition on February 12, 2025, at Hershey Lodge.
For more information about this academic competition, please email Megan Smith at megan_smith@iu13.org.
Thank you.