Illinois Student Invention Convention Announces 2026 Winners

Chicago, IL – Innovation was on full display as the Illinois Student Invention Convention (ISIC) hosted its annual Showcase and Awards Ceremony on April 25, 2026, at the South Side YMCA in Chicago.

This year’s ceremony recognized the exceptional creativity of students selected from a record-breaking pool of over 6,700 participants across Illinois during the 2025–2026 school year. Attendees at the Showcase explored a wide range of student-led solutions and engaged with interactive STEM stations provided by our dedicated partners. A highlight of the day was the announcement of each inventor’s award they received after our judging competition in March. During the ceremony, 21 students were selected to represent Illinois and compete at Invention Convention Worldwide’s US Nationals competition. 

From June 3–5, 2026, Illinois’ top young inventors will head to The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, for the U.S. National Invention Convention. They join an elite group of innovators selected from over 305,000 students nationwide to present their work to industry experts and judges.

We are proud to present the distinguished winners of the 2026 Illinois Student Invention Convention:

Top Scoring Projects Advancing to the US National Invention Convention

  • Aidan Z. for Voice of Safety (Quest Academy)
  • Ava H. and Finnlee W. for Professor Paper Chomp (Farmingdale Elementary)
  • Cynthia Y. and Elyse P. for ThermoPaw (Chicago World Language Academy)
  • Dayami A. and Caden W. for The Magic Shoe (John D. Shoop Academy)
  • Jack H. and Jonah B. for Stashee (Pulaski International School)
  • Jack R. for PowerSolve Pen (Quest Academy)
  • Jazmine F. for Automatic Makeup Remover (Lincoln Elementary)
  • Kane S. for Auto-Stop Tea Kettle (Quest Academy)
  • Matthias A. and Ruben R. for The Painters — The Paint Palette Stand (Pulaski International School)
  • Portia D. for MycoMesh (Quest Academy)
  • Quinn K. for BusterNutBar (Rock Island Center)
  • Raul R. for Leaf Bot (Armour Elementary)
  • Reed Q. for Ra-Dark (Quest Academy)
  • Sean R. for MediGuard Detector (Quest Academy)
  • Shrikari P. for The ArthroAid (Quest Academy)
  • Vibhuti V. for AXIS (Autonomous Manufacturing and Axis) (Quest Academy)

Top Scoring Projects & Grand Prize Winners

  • Grand Prize: Portia D. for MycoMesh (Quest Academy)
  • 2nd Place Overall: Jack H. and Jonah B. for Stashee (Pulaski International School)
  • 3rd Place Overall: Vibhuti V. for AXIS (Autonomous Manufacturing and Axis) (Quest Academy)

Specialty Award Winners

  • Prototype Award: Dominic A. for CryoPulse Pro (St. Hubert Catholic School)
  • Repurposed Materials Award: Collette P. and Desmond K. for Eco-paper (Pulaski International School)
  • Molex Award: Jonas C. for MowVision (Quest Academy)
  • Molex Award: Saachi S. for AirAware (Quest Academy)
  • UL Safety Award: Reed Q. for Ra-Dark (Quest Academy)

Grade Level Winners

8th Grade

  • 1st Place: Sean R. for MediGuard Detector (Quest Academy)
  • 2nd Place: Reed Q. for Ra-Dark (Quest Academy)
  • 3rd Place (Tie): Leonardo V. and London U. for Hydro Pot (Lincoln Elementary)

7th Grade

  • 1st Place: Aidan Z. for Voice of Safety (Quest Academy)
  • 2nd Place: Shrikari P. for The ArthroAid (Quest Academy)
  • 3rd Place: Madelyn K., Mary K., and Hailey C. for Eco Elixir (Lake Forest Country Day School)

6th Grade

  • 1st Place: Jack R. for PowerSolve Pen (Quest Academy)
  • 2nd Place: Kane S. for Auto-Stop Tea Kettle (Quest Academy)
  • 3rd Place: Caroline C. for The PureLuxe Shower Brush (Norwood Park Elementary School)

5th Grade

  • 1st Place: Cynthia Y. and Elyse P. for ThermoPaw (Chicago World Language Academy)
  • 2nd Place: Jazmine F. for Automatic Makeup Remover (Lincoln Elementary)
  • 3rd Place: Catalina D., Skye G., and Ar’yae S. for Safe Snacks Seat (Chicago World Language Academy)

4th Grade

  • 1st Place: Matthias A. and Ruben R. for The Painters – The (Pulaski International School)
  • 2nd Place: Ava H. and Finnlee W. for Professor Paper Chase (Farmingdale Elementary)
  • 3rd Place: Gabi C. and Sloane M. for Pressure Pals (Farmingdale Elementary)

3rd Grade

  • 1st Place: Quinn K. for BusterNutBar (Rock Island Center)
  • 2nd Place: Dayami Alvarez and Caden W. for The Magic Shoe (John D. Shoop Academy)
  • 3rd Place: Connor J., Lydia L., Malia M., and Roman K., for The Shoe Saver (Chicago City Day School)

K-2nd Grade

  • 1st Place: Raul R. for Leaf bot (Armour Elementary)
  • 2nd Place: Nova L. and Alice P. M. for The Night Reader (Armour Elementary)
  • 3rd Place: Lincoln T. for Monster leash (Armour Elementary School)

Honorable Mentions

  • Ahmad B. and A’marious J. for Mobile Trash Bin (Elise Ford Allen Academy)
  • Alex W. for Strength Sleeve (Mark Bills Middle School)
  • Angel M. and Karol P. for Blanco Dientes (Hester Junior High School)
  • Aubrey D., Jamea M., Linden C., and Nivea Crooks C. for Pulse By Second (Annie Jo Gordon)
  • Elailia C. for The Stash and Dash (Reservoir Gifted Academy)
  • Elias M. and Jarmir W. for Cool Caps (Liberty Leadership Middle School)
  • Elias R. for The Meta Chair (Lincoln K-8 School)
  • Gray T. and Sareesha C. for The Sky Soil Drone (Nettelhorst Elementary)
  • Isabella A., Aniya W., Zaniya H., and Juanita H. for The car sea 5,000 (Harold B. Dawson Jr. Middle School)
  • Jada H., Nadia H., Alexa R., and Kimberly G. for Charger Bolt (Glen Oak Community Learning Center)
  • Jorge M. Jr. and Alex K. for Computer holder (The Chicago Academy)
  • Kimberli R. for Panic sensory (Von Steuben Middle School)
  • Landen M. and Ethan R. for Study Reminder (Sterling Middle School)
  • Luca M. and Jonathan O. for The Ultimate Locker Organizer (Maple School)
  • Michael L. and Aaron L. for Auto Waffle (Rolling Acres Middle School)
  • Rory H. for Sleep Helper (Trewyn School)
  • Violet C. for The Sensory Pillow (Wadsworth STEM Elementary School)
  • Zoe L. for Crazy Clasper (James Ward Elementary School)