2025-2026
Important Dates
ASAP: Explore this site and the Invention Curriculum!
October 31: Submit Your Intent to Participate*
November 30: Submit materials online as per the Virtual Submission Guidelines
OR
December 20: Attend a Regional Competition if applicable.
In late 2025, we will invite state qualifiers.
*This is not a commitment.
Nationals 2025, Dearborn, Michigan
Projects are scored in grade bands:
Elementary: K-4
Middle: 5-8
High: 9-12
““All inventions, innovations and advancements came from a creator who thought (and then did) the impossible.””
Overall Timeline:
Throughout the fall, advisors and teams will identify projects, problem solve, iterate and determine how to showcase their ideas.
In November and early December, they share their work with judges either at regional events or virtually.
Inventors from across the state from both regional events AND virtual submissions will be considered to bring projects to the state level. The official invitations to states will be issued in late December.
The 2026 state event will occur on February 4 in Hershey. It is a component of the PA Educational Technology Expo and Conference.
From there, a very select few will make the journey to Nationals in June.
What do Students Need to Do?
1. Read and understand the “Framework for Invention.”
2. Find a problem to work to solve.
3. Start an Invention Log (a journal of your process)
4. Find potential solutions.
5. Create a prototype.
6. Test & refine your prototype.
7. Make a short video, if applying virtually about your invention (up to 3-minutes)
OR present to judges at a regional in-person event at participating Intermediate Units.
Plan to Attend a Regional Event
Several Intermediate Units across PA hosting fall events for students in their area. These days are fun filled and jam packed! Dates will be announced in early fall 2025.
Consider Applying Virtually
In order to encourage access for all, we support a virtual application process for those who cannot get to a live event.
