The Connecticut Invention Convention, Inc.
  • Home
  • Who We Serve
    • Students
    • Parents
    • Educators
    • Community Programs
    • Our Sponsors
    • Alumni
  • Connecticut
    • About the Program
    • Professional Development
    • Independent Inventors
    • Awards and Winners CT
  • Massachusetts
    • About the Program
    • Awards and Winners 2025
  • Support Us
    • Become A Sponsor
    • Judge
    • Volunteer
    • Donate Online
    • Mail A Check
    • Submit A Bid (RFPs)
  • About Us
    • Annual Impact
    • Who We Are
    • Our Team
    • Our History
    • Contact Us
    • FAQs
    • Most Recent 990
  • More
    • Home
    • Who We Serve
      • Students
      • Parents
      • Educators
      • Community Programs
      • Our Sponsors
      • Alumni
    • Connecticut
      • About the Program
      • Professional Development
      • Independent Inventors
      • Awards and Winners CT
    • Massachusetts
      • About the Program
      • Awards and Winners 2025
    • Support Us
      • Become A Sponsor
      • Judge
      • Volunteer
      • Donate Online
      • Mail A Check
      • Submit A Bid (RFPs)
    • About Us
      • Annual Impact
      • Who We Are
      • Our Team
      • Our History
      • Contact Us
      • FAQs
      • Most Recent 990
The Connecticut Invention Convention, Inc.
  • Home
  • Who We Serve
    • Students
    • Parents
    • Educators
    • Community Programs
    • Our Sponsors
    • Alumni
  • Connecticut
    • About the Program
    • Professional Development
    • Independent Inventors
    • Awards and Winners CT
  • Massachusetts
    • About the Program
    • Awards and Winners 2025
  • Support Us
    • Become A Sponsor
    • Judge
    • Volunteer
    • Donate Online
    • Mail A Check
    • Submit A Bid (RFPs)
  • About Us
    • Annual Impact
    • Who We Are
    • Our Team
    • Our History
    • Contact Us
    • FAQs
    • Most Recent 990

Educators

School Program Registration

Online registration for 24-25 school programs is currently closed. Please contact Kerry Macfarland (kerry@ctinventionconvention.org) for questions and inquiries about participation.

Why Adopt Invention COnvention?

It Works

It's Inspirational

It's Flexible

 Invention Convention builds standards-based inquiry skills in students K-12 by introducing and leading them through the creation of their own invention to solve a problem of their own choosing.


Invention Convention is...


  • NGSS and Connecticut Core Standards Based – The process of invention covers most standards effortlessly and naturally.
  • Not your typical STEM program...we are so much more – Linked with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as well as English Language Arts, Humanities, entrepreneurship, economics, sociology, presentation skills, information technology, art, and much more.
  • Founded on Higher Order Thinking Skills - Invention involves problem-defining, problem-solving, engineering, and iteration. These skills stretch the mind to analyze, evaluate, and reflect.
  • 21st Century Skills Related – Inventors learn all of the skills they need for college and career readiness, regardless of age…even kindergarteners invent and present to judges!
  • Differentiated Education - Inventors control their own learning, so invention accommodates different student needs and learning styles. Everyone can invent!

It's Flexible

It's Inspirational

It's Flexible

Invention Convention is open to all K-12 students both in and out of school. We provide the resources for students to learn invention and then the venue for your students to present their hard work. The program’s flexibility allows you to teach the program in a variety of settings and in the timeframe your school or program needs.


Implementation Possibilities:


  • A flexible program, typically 6-12 weeks, which fits many time frames; before, during, and after school.
  • You can begin small. Invent with a single class, an after school club, a scout troop, etc.
  • Medium-sized programs can involve a whole grade level or multiple classes.
  • Large programs are multiple grade levels, school-wide or even town-wide.
  • Invention also fits into programs outside of school, Boys and Girls Club, Scouts, 4H programs.

It's Inspirational

It's Inspirational

It's Inspirational

The students who solve problems in our program today go on to become the innovators of tomorrow! Inventors in our program control their own learning and process. Invention is rewarding for all types of learners. In addition, many of our inventors garner local, state, and national attention for the effort they and their teachers put into the program.


The benefits to students:

  • Student generated process - students identify and solve a problem and steer their learning
  • Enhanced communication and research skills
  • Real life opportunity to solve a problem in their lives, the lives of their family, community, or for the world!
  • Opportunity for original creativity and innovation.
  • Chance to be recognized for their innovation talent
  • Builds the skills employers are looking for: innovation, problem solving, communication, and collaboration


Benefits to School/Program:

  • Standards based instruction - naturally highlights the NGSS science and engineering practices, among others.
  • The program may be offered K-12.
  • Flexible program design
  • Inexpensive
  • Community and parent involvement is integral
  • Student Recognition at the local, state, and national levels
  • Positive press opportunities for the school and district

Implementation of the Program

A Step-by-Step Overview of Invention Education at Your School

Select staff and Register


Decide who at your school or program will be the lead Invention Convention contact person for your program. This person will register for the program and receive regular updates from us. Registration runs from September through December. Depending on how you want to implement the program, you can involve any other educators, coordinators and staff as needed – many different people can play a role. 


Decide population and schedule for the program


There are many different ways to successfully implement Invention Convention. You can involve as many students as you like, and can target one particular grade, or multiple grades. The program has successfully been run during science, STEM, enrichment, talented and gifted and after-school formats just to name a few! 


Most programs implement the program in late fall and winter in preparation to send students to participate in our state events each spring. You'll want to plan to have any in-school invention showcases or competitions completed before state event(s), so that your chosen inventors have time to submit their project and/or register for finals events. 


Our pacing guide outlines how the program can be run over an eight-week period, taking inventors through all the stages of invention. This is just a suggestion however. Some programs will have less time to devote, and some will have more. There is a lot of flexibility in our programs.


Set date and location for your school/district’s local convention


Know your target date for the culmination of your local curriculum – your school/district Invention Convention.  You will need to hold your school/program event prior to any registration deadline dates, so that you have enough time to select and register your inventors moving on to state event(s). Your school event can be big or small depending on your timing and resources, and our staff is here to support you when planning your school events. 


Set budget and secure funding


While running an Invention Convention program at your school is not expensive, some funds are required. The average school will spend the following each year:


  • Annual School Registration- $250 per school/site. ($150 for new sites or those with less than 25 students total at their site - see program costs below for details). 
  • Professional Development Workshops –  While not required, a workshop is recommended for educators new to the program and those looking to expand their knowledge of invention education. Check out our PD page for upcoming workshops and associated fees. Customized and school-specific PD is also available and may incur an additional cost. 
  • Awards and incidentals for you local school convention, if needed.
  • Finals registration fees for any students going to in person events (school or parent pay options). 
  • Teacher stipend (if required)
  • Supplies - some activities require basic and inexpensive office supplies. Schools may want to provide tri-fold display boards for their inventors. 


We offer professional development sessions for new and veteran teachers


  • We strongly encourage educators new to running Invention Convention attend one of our training sessions to become familiar with the program. Returning educators and those looking to expand their knowledge of invention education are also welcome.
  • PD sessions are offered during the fall and winter. Site-specific PD is also available on request. 
  • A PD session is a great opportunity to meet other educators that are running Invention Convention programs.
  • Please visit our PD page for current training opportunities!



Hold a “Kick-Off Meeting” for all interested students


Get students excited and motivated to participate in the program. This is particularly important if you are running the Invention Convention program outside of your normal school curriculum. Tell parents about your plans and ask for their support. We offer resources to registered schools to help get your students excited about the program (videos, flyers, success stories).


Plan instruction time


Instruction typically takes 6-12 weeks depending on how often classes are held. Some schools build this into their daily or weekly coursework during school; some make this an after school or enrichment program. Plan enough time for students to engage in invention skill building activities, plus create their own invention. Students can work on their inventions outside of school time as well. Once you are ready, begin the program.


Hold your own local Invention Convention


At the conclusion of your school program, host a school or district Invention Convention event. This can be as big or small as you like. You can engage local businesses, civic organizations and other volunteers to come and judge the exhibits. Invite families and other classes to come in and view the displays. 


Select the inventors to attend your state event 


The number of inventors who can move on to your state level event from your school or program will be communicated to you in January, once we know how many students overall in the state are participating. Each school or program chooses the inventors they would like to move on, and we provide you with detailed directions for parents to submit their inventor's project online. 


State finalists' parents will RSVP/register for their state's Finals event. While parents typically register their finalist, educators can be very helping in assisting inventors with any materials that need to accompany registration. Teachers are welcome, but not required, to attend state finals as guests or volunteers.





What You Get

  • Invention education curriculum with over 80 activities aligned to standards such as NGSS and Common Core.
  • A Pacing Guide for how to maximize your time through the curriculum.
  • Professional development sessions to assist with school implementation.
  • Staff support and coaching for educators.
  • Communication about important dates, deadlines, news, and media opportunities.
  • Access to either the CT or MA State Finals event for your selected finalists to present their hard work.
  • Access to the Invention Convention U.S. Nationals at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan (selected winners). Note: Due to the timing of the CT program, CT Nationals finalists will be eligible to attend U.S. Nationals the following year. 
  • Access to the U.S. National Innovator Virtual Challenge (selected winners).
  • Acceptance into a community of educators excelling at invention education!

Program Costs

Annual school enrollment fees:


 $250 per school/program site. 


$150/site for New sites (have not participated within the past three years) and those with less than 25 students total at the site


Each school or location you register is considered a "site"


Districts registering 4 or more sites receive a 20% district discount.


 Finalists attending our in-person state finals event will be charged an event registration fee (option for school or parent pay). 

Copyright © 2024 The Connecticut Invention Convention, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 


Powered by

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept