What Is The CIC?
The Connecticut Invention Convention (CIC) is an internationally recognized educational organization started in 1983. Throughout the year, teachers use our curriculum to develop creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills through invention and entrepreneurship. This culminates in the final competition event where we recognize students with awards and prizes for their hard work. Today, the program is open to all K-12 students across Connecticut, and is rapidly growing. Come be a part of our project!
Why Teach Inventing?
Invention provides students with a unique means to discover new skill sets and creatively apply these in real-life settings while nurturing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The CIC curriculum is standards-based and enables students to research, analyze and effectively focus on and solve their real-life problems. For more information, please visit our teacher's page.
What's the Impact?
Since its inception, an estimated 300,000 K-12 children, have experienced CIC invention programs. Annually the CIC serves more than 17,000 students in grades K-12 across Connecticut from nearly 300 participating Connecticut schools. CIC’s long history and successful principles helped give rise to The STEMIE Coalition (STEMIE) and NICEE, which elevates K-12 invention and entrepreneurship education to a national level.
In addition to the wide audience it reaches, The CIC has produced many individual success stories that often result in students receiving patents and starting their own businesses. Click below to see some of our more successful serial inventors!