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What is K-12 InVenture Prize competition?
K-12 InVenture Prize is an invention and entrepreneurship program at Georgia Tech's Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing that challenges students to identify real-world problems and design novel solutions through analysis, creativity, and the scientific method.
Our mission is to develop the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs by making invention education accessible to all students and teachers. We hope to broaden participation in STEAM by bringing authentic invention and entrepreneurship experiences to K-12 teachers and students.
Why should my young inventor participate in K-12 InVenture?
- Encourages young inventors to think creatively and develop innovative solutions
- Develops young inventors’ 21st century skills, such as leadership, teamwork, and collaboration and ties into K-12 standards
- Increases participation and interest in STEM fields
What are my young inventors doing through K-12 InVenture Prize?
In the classroom, teachers will be guiding your young inventors through the invention process! We provide teachers with curriculum support, including lesson plans and activities for inventors, though we are flexible with how they want to teach invention! We encourage teachers to use our curriculum throughout the school year and wherever it fits with their instruction.
With the permission of parents, young inventors participate in competition events to present their project. Prior to participation in any competition event, parents must complete the Parental Consent form.
- Mock Pitch is an optional competition event, where inventors share their invention ideas and progress for judges to provide feedback for iteration. Mock Pitch typically is held during the Fall semester early on into their invention process.
- Qualifier Events occur early in the Spring semester and during which inventors present their invention and process for judges to evaluate and score, from which select teams are invited to the State Finals event. Depending on the Qualifier event, inventors may present in-person during a regional qualifier or send a recording and project description for the online qualifier. Feedback from judges are typically sent to inventors advancing to State Finals to help them iterate and improve their inventions and presentations before competing at the State level.
- State Finals is an in-person field trip experience for invention teams who advanced from the Online Qualifier and Regional Qualifiers.
- Nationals is another in-person field trip experience for invention teams who advance from State Finals to present and compete on a national stage. Advancing teams travel to the Invention Convention Worldwide U.S. National competition, typically hosted at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.
How can I support my young inventor?
Logistical Support
- Complete the Ideal-Logic Parental Consent form for your inventor’s participation in the competition event.
- Reaching out to your inventor’s teacher or program staff to get more information and/or help find resources if needed.
- Attend in-person competition events! Competition events are a special moment for young inventors to showcase all their hard work and being there if you are able really matters! K-12 InVenture Prize and its regional partners recognize the lift for parents, guardians, and supporters in time and cost, and we try our best to run the program keeping that in mind.
Learn more about Parental Consent
Educational Support
- Encourage your young inventor to not give up!
- Be interested in what your young inventor is doing by asking questions, like what are you working on or what solution did you come up with?
- Don’t do their work for them! Talk through the problem with them without giving answers, guide them to think about their problem and the users, and/or be their audience member when they practice their presentation.