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 Annual State Final 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- $150. There is a discounted registration fee for districts/groups registering more than one school.
• Professional Development cost – we hold workshops all across the state.
• Awards and incidentals for local school convention, if needed
• Student Registrations for your students going to the CIC Annual State Final Event. Positive press opportunities for the school and district
• Bus to transport inventors and their families to the CIC Annual State Final Event at UCONN, Storrs, CT (if needed, but not required)
• Teacher stipend (if required)

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

Schools returning to the program pay $150. (There is a discounted fee schedule for districts/groups registering more than two schools.)  Fees are payable by check or credit card. 

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
• CIC PD is a great opportunity to meet other CIC teachers from your area that are running Invention Convention programs.
• Registration and payment is required in advance of the class.

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 Finals Event

The percentage of each schools’ inventors who can move on to the CIC Annual State Final Event will be announced in January/February.  Register your inventors selected for the CIC Annual State Final Event and communicate with parents.  All students attending the CIC Annual State Final Event must sign photo/video/social media waivers.