Gina Smallwood

Invention Convention is February 28, 2008!

The Invention Convention is an annual competition held in the spring for public and private school fourth, fifth, and sixth grade children. The overall mission is to provide a fun and unique way for children to engage in divergent thought. The competition requires that the students actually make their inventions using their own creative imaginations. It is hoped that the development of such invention will help integrate many of the content areas taught in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade curricula.

Children are asked to invent a product from a specific set of conditions in either category: inventions that are games or inventions that will somehow make our lives easier..

In the games category, students may invent games that could be entertaining or challenging for virtually any age group. In the make our lives easier category, students may invent and device that would somehow make our lives either more convenient or more comfortable. These inventions might be for personal use, use around the kitchen or home, or for school use.

Contest Rules

The competition is open only to students in fourth, fifth, and sixth grade classrooms in either public or private schools.

Students may submit entries as individuals or in groups no larger than five.

Entries can be in one of two categories: (a) games or (b) inventions that would make life easier or more convenient.

An elementary teacher from and individual school may have entries in tow categories per teacher (I.e. a total of two entries per teacher). Decisions regarding which two entries are chosen per school will be left for local teacher/school officials to make in whatever manner they see fit. An individual student can be entered in only one category.

To enter the competition, classroom teacher must register by completing the Registration Form that can be found on the last page of the announcement brochure.. There is no registration fee.
Each invention entry (not the actual invention) must be returned to MTSU. The invention entry should be a written, detailed description of the invention. A picture or sketch of the invention would be helpful also. The description must:
a) state the category of the invention
b) include the name or title of the invention
c) list all rules and/or directions playing or operating the invention
d) itemize all parts and approximate cost for the invention which is not to exceed 15.00
NOTE: Each part of the invention must be listed with a price regardless of
whether or not the creator purchased the part or received it free.
e) describe the invention. How did you get this idea? How does it work?
How do you What is it used for? How will it make life easier?

All entries will be judged by an independent panel which will select the top entries in each of the invention categories.

The top entries in each of the invention categories will be notified by letter. These students or groups of students will be invited to the MTSU campus to display their inventions, where the top three winners in both of the invention categories per grade will be honored.

All students or groups of students who enter the contest will receive certificates.

Additional prizes will be awarded to all those who are invited to MTSU.

Teachers or parents are not allowed to participate in the actual construction of the invention; however, they may serve as consultants to students who have questions as they develop their projects.

The dimensions for inventions in each category must not exceed 24” x24”x24”.

There are no restrictions on weight.

There are no restrictions on types of materials which can be used, but students will be expected to itemize each part of the invention. The total actual cost of the invention may not exceed $15.00.

Invention Convention Information