CHICAGO, IL (May 19, 2024) – The Illinois Student Invention Convention (ISIC) celebrated the state’s top young inventors at its annual Celebration, Showcase, & Awards event on Saturday, May 18th at the South Side YMCA in Chicago. The event recognized 79 student winners selected from a pool of 218 competitors statewide, which were narrowed from over 4,500 participating students.

Since its inception in 2012, the ISIC program has served over 29,000 students, with participation growing from 2,500 last year to 4,500 this year. The Celebration event featured remarks from Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, interactive STEM activity stations, student invention showcases, and innovation workshops. “We are thrilled to provide a platform for Illinois students to develop their creativity and problem-solving skills,” said Nicole P. Rodriguez, Program Director, Illinois Student Invention Convention, at Chicago Innovation. “The inventions showcased at this event demonstrate the ingenuity and passion of our state’s young innovators.” During the awards ceremony, 34 students were selected to represent Illinois and compete at the Invention Convention U.S. Nationals.

Below are the winners that were honored at the awards ceremony.

Top Scoring Projects Advancing to the US National Invention Convention

  • Adelene T. for MedTracker (Quest Academy)
  • Addison I. for Magnetic Marker 2015 Edition (Jungman STEM Magnet Elementary)
  • Alina S. and Sophie S. for Solis Tentorium  (North Shore Country Day)
  • Amarin P. and Cora L. for No Dripzee (Pulaski International School)
  • Ariyah B. and Anaiya M. for The Easy Off (Lincoln Elementary District 156)
  • Ariana T. & Destiny H for Flip a Bench (Lincoln Elementary District 156)
  • Arnav C. for BlindSpace (Quest Academy)
  • Ahtziri D. for The Container Strainer (Quest Academy)
  • Ava T. for PinkyGuard (Blaine Elementary)
  • Cameron A. & Greyson G. for The Turf Troubles (North Shore Country Day)
  • Hania S. for TapeAway (Quest Academy)
  • Haddie H. and Mack W. for Fun Time Fixer (Farmingdale Elementary)
  • Jazzlyn V. for TrembleEnd2.0 (Jungman STEM Magnet Elementary)
  • Madison L. for Green Glow (Jungman STEM Magnet Elementary)
  • Max P. and Marvin Z. for Trash Pad  (Pulaski International School)
  • Nathaniel M. for Ping Pong Blaster
  • Olivia H. for Seat Sack Hand 0 (Jungman STEM Magnet Elementary)
  • Paige T. for Pixel Pets (Quest Academy)
  • Portia D. for Prairie Grow (Quest Academy)
  • Sammy K. for The Bike Buddy (Pulaski International School)
  • Skye C. for Tight Spite (Jungman STEM Magnet Elementary)
  • Valerie M. for The Toilet Paper Refiller 2.0 (Jungman STEM Magnet Elementary)
  • Victory J. for Glow Kitty (Homewood Science Center)
  • Violet O. for Rita and the Recyclers and The Compost Monsters (Jungman STEM Magnet Elementary)
  • Zalph C. for The Foldable Sunshade Extension (Quest Academy)
  • Zoe R. for EAZY PEAZY Computer Charger (Jungman STEM Magnet Elementary)

1st place Overall Ahtziri D. for The Container Strainer, (Quest Academy)

2nd place Overall Sammy K. for The Bike Buddy (Pulaski International School)

3rd place Overall  Arnav C. for BlindSpace (Quest Academy)

SPECIALTY AWARD WINNERS

  • Molex Transformation Award – Portia D.  for Prairie Grow & Arnav C. for BlindSpace (Quest Academy)
  • mHUB Prototype Award – Cora L. & Amarin P. for No Dripzee (Pulaski Internationa)
  • Repurposed Materials – Yuehan Q. & Julie H. for Jampoon (James Ward Elementary) and Meher. G. for Sustainable Hand Warmer (GEMS World Academy)
  • Founder’s Award- Matthew N. and Hunter W. PureCycle Wave (North Shore Country Day)

Spark Awards

  •  Angel A., Junior A., and Daniel L. from Lincoln Elementary for Shoe Switcher\
  • Andres Alba from Jungman STEM Magnet Elementary for The Wake Up Pillow
  • Emma S. from Saint Andrew School for SnoMow
  • Edison C. from North Shore Country Day School for The Expirationator for Alzheimers
  • Eliana H. from GEMS World Academy for Tortoise Ramp
  • Eduardo R. & Victor O. from Jungman STEM Magnet Elementary for Utility Safety Counter (USC)
  • Hayden H. and Truett M. from Farmingdale Elementary for Remark
  • Nevaeh B., Elisa H., and Heather W., from Lincoln Elementary for All Purpose Shovel

GRADE LEVEL WINNERS

8th grade Category Winners:

  • 1st place -Arnav C. for BlindSpace (Quest Academy)
  • 2nd place -Nathaniel M. for Ping Pong Blaster (Lincoln Elementary)
  • 3rd place – Destiny H. & Ariana T. for Flip a Bench (Lincoln Elementary)

7th Grade Category Winners:

  • 1st place – Zalph C. for The Foldable Sunshade Extension (Quest Academy)
  • 2nd place – Paige T. for Pixel Pets (Quest Academy)
  • 3rd place – Anila J. for The Erasable Highlighter (Shoop Academy of Math, Science, Technology)

6th grade Category Winners:

  • 1st place – Ahtziri D. for The Container Strainer (Quest Academy)
  • 2nd place -Victory J. for Glow Kitty (Homewood Science Center)
  • 3rd place -Portia D. for Prairie Grow (Quest Academy)

5th grade Category Winners:

  • 1st place- Alina S. & Sophie S. for Solis Tentorium (North Shore Country Day School)
  • 2nd place -Ava T. for Pinky Guard (Blaine Elementary School)
  • 3rd place – Skye C. for Tight Spite (Jungman STEM Magnet Elementary)

4th grade Category Winners:

  • 1st place -Sammy K. for The Bike Buddy (Pulaski International School)
  • 2nd place- Haddie H. & Mack W. for Fun Time Fixer (Farmingdale Elementary)
  • 3rd place- Zoe R. for EAZY PEAZY Computer Charger (Jungman STEM Magnet Elementary)

3rd Grade Category Winners:

  • 1st place – Addison I., for Magnetic Marker 2015 Edition (Jungman STEM Magnet Elementary)
  • 2nd place -Justice W. for Can’t Snap (Jungman STEM Magnet Elementary)
  • 3rd place – Ismael A. for Cozy Cone (Jungman STEM Magnet Elementary)

K-2nd Grade Category Winners:

  • 1st place – Olivia H., for Seat Sack Hand (Jungman STEM Magnet Elementary)
  • 2nd place – Ruby O. for The Hug Me Pillow (Jungman STEM Magnet Elementary)
  • 3rd place – Violeta G. for Wiggle Smiley; el movimiento que te hace sonreir (Jungman STEM Magnet Elementary)

Honorable Mentions:

  • Alfonso G. and Starling H. for Zippidy Zap Ball (​Alfred Nobel Dual Language School)
  • Soumya S. for The Medicine Reminder (Beaubien Elementary)
  • Summer M. and Aarvi S. for The Shine Bright Hair Brush (Chicago World Language Academy)
  • Milaj J., Ruby H., and Zaina W. for Chill Out (Chicago West Side Christian School)
  • Winter C., Lance H., and Zyra V. for Modifeyes (Chippewa Middle School)
  • Clyde R. for UDR: Umbrella Drying Rack (Hester Junior High)
  • Melanie Q. for Beebear (Roycemore School)
  • Lily G. and Leah W. for Protection Point (Shiloh CUSD 1)
  • Annie B., Grace L., and Ava P. for Hollow Markers (Sward Elementary)
  • Noah A. for Antitheft (James Wadsworth Elementary)
  • Violet F. for The My Stuff Container (Wadsworth STEM Elementary School)
  • Levi K. for The Security Master 3000 (Wendell Smith Elementary)