Watch this space for news about the 2025-2026 season.
Projects are scored in grade bands:
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.
How to Participate
1. Explore this website.
2. Read and understand the “Framework for Invention.”
3. Start an Invention Log (a journal of your process).
4. Find a problem to solve.
5. Find solutions.
6. Create a prototype.
7. Test & refine your prototype.
8. Make a short video, if applying virtually about your invention (up to 3-minutes)
OR present to judges at a regional in-person event at participating Intermediate Units.
Plan to Attend a Regional Event
Several Intermediate Units across PA hosting fall events for students in their area. These days are fun filled and jam packed! Dates will be announced in early fall 2025.
Consider Applying Virtually
In order to encourage access for all, we support a virtual application process for those who cannot get to a live event.
