Teachers

Select staff

Teachers, enrichment leads, STEM coordinators, after-school coordinators – many people can play a role. The many duties your CIC leaders will perform include: teaching the curriculum, registering your school, registering students for the CIC Finals event, paying the event registration fee, receiving information from CIC, contacting CIC with questions, outreach to parents and community, and securing funding if needed.

Decide population and schedule for the program

Decide teaching population and time. Your staff selection might decide this, but if not, pick the grade levels, team, before school, after school, etc. that will be the target of the program.  You want to consider having multiple grade levels involved in this program.  It is amazing to see your students’ growth when they have multiple opportunities to invent.

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 local event prior to the CIC event registration deadline dates, so that you have enough time to select and register your inventors moving on to the CIC online semi-finals event.

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:

• School Registration- $250 per school/site. 
• Professional Development cost – Our virtual professional development sessions are included in your registration fee. 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 the CIC State Finals Event (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. 

Online registration is required for all schools/programs.  Teachers, district secretaries, or instructional coaches can register the school(s).

Fees are payable by check or credit card. An invoice will be issued to your school following registration. Invoices typically go out in January but can be sent sooner on request.

Click here to register.

CIC runs professional development sessions for new and veteran teachers

• Professional Development (PD) is recommended for all new CIC teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators
• Regular PD sessions are offered during the fall and winter. Site-specific PD is also available on request. 
• CIC PD is a great opportunity to meet other CIC teachers 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. The CIC offers 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 or more 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. Engage local businesses, civic organizations and other volunteers to come and judge the exhibits using CIC-provided judging materials. Invite families and other classes to come in and view the displays. 

Select the inventors to attend the CIC Semi-Finals Event

The percentage of each schools’ inventors who can move on to the CIC State Semi-Finals Event will be announced in January.  Each school or program chooses the inventors they would like to move on to the Semi-Finals. Semi-finalists parents will be directed on how to register their inventor's project online.