Our Impact

Since 2012, the Illinois Student Invention Convention has empowered 35,000 K-8 grade students from over 150 sites across the state to become creative problem-solvers through invention.

Our Impact For SY 2024-2025

Student inventors participated

%

Students increased critical thinking & problem-solving

Educators participated

Sites participated across Illinois

Our Reach

Extending invention education statewide:

  • Public and non-public schools
  • Youth centers and after-school groups
  • Libraries and museums
What Our Program Participants Have to Say

“Thanks to the Illinois Student Invention Convention, I had the chance to speak at the Tech & AI summit at the Google office. I shared my journey of invention education with so many different leaders, and the conversations we had afterward were incredible.”

Arnav Chaphalkar, Sophomore in high school, 2025

“My students didn’t just make things, they solved real problems in the world. It’s been emotional watching them grow more confident.”

Gloria McDaniel-Hall, Founder, Saturday Scientist; Associate Professor, National Louis University

“This program is giving students a chance to put themselves out there and create something from nothing.”

Leslie Aguilar, 8th Grade Student, 2023 U.S. Nationals Qualifier

“I improved my creativity by learning how to come up with new ideas and not get stuck thinking. My problem solving got better while I was iterating through trial and error to build my prototype.”

Jack Rout, 5th Grade Student

“Participating in the Illinois Student Invention Convention has been very impactful for me and introduced me to the power of problem solving.”

Arnav Chaphalkar, 8th Grade Student, 2024 Grand Prize Winner

“My students didn’t just make things, they solved real problems in the world. It’s been emotional watching them grow more confident.”

Gloria McDaniel-Hall, Founder, Saturday Scientist; Associate Professor, National Louis University

“This program is giving students a chance to put themselves out there and create something from nothing.”

Leslie Aguilar, 8th Grade Student, 2023 U.S. Nationals Qualifier

“I improved my creativity by learning how to come up with new ideas and not get stuck thinking. My problem solving got better while I was iterating through trial and error to build my prototype.”

Jack Rout, 5th Grade Student