Resources to get you started.

Educator Resources from The Henry Ford, Invention Convention

General Competition Rules

  • All grade 1 – 12 students are eligible for participation include public school, private school, charter school, home school, or independent students. All are welcome!
  • Participants are limited to spending up to $25 at the Regional competition level. There is no cost limit for the State competition.
  • For the competitions, participants are required to:
    • Create a poster/storyboard outlining the ideation process for their invention.
    • Keep a logbook/journal of their ideation and development of the invention idea.
    • Deliver a short (<5 minute) presentation of their invention to a captive audience at the State competition (not Regional competition)

Teacher Training Videos

If you are new to Invent Idaho, we encourage you to watch some short training videos, or we can help via coming to your classroom to do professional development training in invention education. The training is intended to help enable your students to explore their ideas and create competitive pitches. Then you may register for the program and start the process of identifying high performing inventors to advance to the regional or state competitions.

Regional Judging Form

For grades 1-8

For High School

I. DESIGN CHALLENGE PROBLEM STATEMENT= +5 points
A. Clearly defined = +3 points
B. Why this problem was selected = +2 points
II. IDEATION = +10 points
A. Details numerous possible design solution ideas
III. RESEARCH = +15 points
A. Demonstrates new learning about the topic = +3 points
B. Includes interviews with target audience individuals prior to
solution creation = +5 points
C. Includes interviews with target audience individuals after
Production = +4 points
D. Identifies a mentor and delineates contributions provided by
Mentor = +3 points
IV. EMPATHY FOR TARGET USERS IS EVIDENT THROUGH DOCUMENTATION =
+2 points
V. 3-D PROTOTYPE = +25
A. Initial design sketch included = +5 points
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B. CAD (Computer Aided Design) Diagram included = +5 points
C. Working Model = +15 points Non-Working Model = + 5 points
VI. EVOLUTION: TEST , REVISE, and REDESIGN = +20 points
A. Documents feedback from target audience about prototype
effectiveness and defects = +5 points
B. Shows evidence of redesign modifications based on tests and
Feedback = + 15 points
VII. ANALYSIS = +3 points
A. Documents higher level thinking to interpret feedback during
and after the process regarding benefits to society, effects
on the environment, technology that still needs to be
perfected for this invention to be produced, limitations for
potential markets, and other pertinent information.
VIII. SHARING = +20 points
A. Shows evidence of sharing with the community to build
Partnerships = +2 points
B. Provides a print advertisement of the product = + 2 points
C. Provides a professional looking, quality display documenting design process and
benefits of the invention = +8 points
D. Provides a video with a clear purpose, documenting the
design process and benefits of the invention = +8 points