2025-2026
Welcome to a new season!
Students all over Pennsylvania are learning about the invention process in preparation for fall project submissions.
Individuals or teams will:
1. Read and understand the project expectations for the Invention Convention program. (Link)
2. Find a problem to work toward solving.
3. Start and Maintain an Invention Log (a journal of your process)
4. Find potential solutions.
5. Create a prototype.
6. Test & refine your prototype.
7. Plan and practice presenting your project. (Video if virtual, live to judges if at an event.)
Projects are scored in grade bands and state invitations are issued accordingly.
Elementary: K-4
Middle: 5-8
High: 9-12
““All inventions, innovations and advancements came from a creator who thought (and then did) the impossible.””
Overall Timeline:
Throughout the fall, advisors and teams will identify projects, problem solve, iterate and determine how to showcase their ideas.
In November and early December, they share their work with judges either at regional events or virtually.
Inventors from across the state from both regional events AND virtual submissions will be considered to bring projects to the state level. The official invitations to states will be issued in late December.
The 2026 state event will occur on February 4 in Hershey. It is a component of the PA Educational Technology Expo and Conference.
From there, a very select few will make the journey to Nationals in June.
Important Dates
October 31: Submit Your Intent to Participate*
November 30: Submit materials online as per the Virtual Submission Guidelines
OR
By December 19: Attend a Regional Competition if applicable.
Before Winter Break, we will invite state qualifiers.
*This is not a commitment. It helps us communicate as well as prepare our virtual judging team.
Still Have Questions? We welcome them.
Students - please be aware that your student email may not accept incoming emails from outside domains.