About the CIC Inventors Challenge (CICIC)

The competition will take place via Zoom on February 14 at 4:30p EST. To protect our students, and ensure that undue stress is not placed on the, we will not be opening the live competition to spectators. However, we will be recording and producing the competition, and will release the footage within two weeks of the competition's close. It will be free to access on all Connecticut Invention Convention social channels. 

All 2021 State Finalists were considered for the CIC Inventors Challenge -- no registration or action by the parent or student was necessary. Of these more than 500 inventor finalists for the 2022 Inventors Challenge, the CIC selected the top ten inventors based on 2021 judging scores. These were scores determined by 1,171 independent judges, with each student receiving several dozen reviews to reach their final scores. These top ten scorers were considered semi-finalists. 

From this group of ten semi finalists, the CIC selected the four finalists based on a number of criteria, including: number of years inventing in the CIC, strength of the "pitch" relative to their other scores, and the nature of the invention in question (was there a working prototype, etc.). 

The ensure the highest degree of fairness possible, the CIC has selected four different judges from different backgrounds. This includes an educator, a CIC Board Member, and two members of the Connecticut business community. 

Understanding that this is the first year that the Connecticut Invention Convention is exploring a program like this, we are providing a large amount of latitude to the judges to make the selections of first, second, third, and fourth place. Without prior experience to base this off of, the CIC does not want to risk potentially skewing the perspective of judges. Accordingly, judges will be provided the rubrics used by the CIC in its standard judging, and will be instructed to use them as a "general guide," but to discuss amongst themselves based on their own personal experiences and perspectives who deserves which place. 

Yes. All students will leave the Inventors Challenge with at least $1,000, and up to $5,000. Prizes will correspond to placement accordingly:

• First Place: $5,000
• Second Place: $2,500
• Third Place: $1,500
• Fourth Place: $1,000

This money will be used to advance competitors' innovation journeys.