FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chicago Student Invention Convention officially expands to become the Illinois Student Invention Convention, now the 10th U.S. state affiliated with Invention Convention Worldwide, a global K-12 invention education program.
On April 29th 2023, the top K-8th grade inventors from across Chicagoland showcased their winning inventions at the 11th annual and final Chicago Student Invention Convention. Held at the Illinois Institute of Technology, the event was the culmination of a 10-week innovation curriculum delivered to 2,500 students to encourage creative problem-solving through invention. The top finalists from Chicago plan to compete against the top young inventors from around the country at the US National Student Invention Convention from June 7-9th.
Following this event, the Chicago Student Invention Convention, which has already impacted 22,000 Chicago area students, officially expands statewide to become the Illinois Student Invention Convention. This marks the first time that students from across the state of Illinois will have access to this free invention curriculum and competition. Illinois will now join a roster of U.S. states affiliated with Invention Convention Worldwide, a global K-12 invention education program.
For the past 11 years, the Chicago Student Invention Convention has been the city’s largest program focused on K-8th grade student-led invention prototypes. Past student winners have earned awards at the national level, been paired with industry mentors, had the opportunity to earn patents, and have had additional prototypes of their inventions made.
The program is excited to invite school districts and after-school programs across Illinois to participate in the program’s upcoming inaugural year. Interested educators can register and sign-up for in-person or virtual training sessions by visiting the registering on the program’s website. Training dates are also listed below.
In-Person Training Dates
- Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 10am-4pm Near Peoria, IL
- Wednesday, August 2, 2023 10am-4pm Near Chicago, IL
- Wednesday, August 9, 2023 10am-4pm Near Springfield, IL
Virtual Training Dates
- Thursday, August 31st 4:30-6:30pm
- Thursday, September 7th 4:30-6:30pm
- Thursday, September 14th 4:30-6:30pm
- Tuesday, September 19th 4:30-6:30pm
- Tuesday, September 26th 4:30-6:30pm
- Tuesday, October 3rd 4:30-6:30pm
Companies, universities, or individuals looking to get involved with this statewide initiative can visit the Illinois Student Invention Convention website or contact Program Manager Nicole Rodriguez at [email protected].