REGISTRATION

The Invent Idaho program is excited to invite you to KEEP or ADD our program and invention education as part of your home, classroom, school, or district for the 2026-2027 academic year. Among the many benefits, this program offers a great opportunity for teachers to achieve Professional Development toward meeting the Idaho Content Standards in Science – Science and Engineering Practices, and Technology Education. The Curriculum:

  • Is engaging and simple to implement
  • Uses integrated activities that enable students to apply to real-world problem-solving.
  • Embraces the scientific inquiry and engineering designing processes.
  • Develops students’ STEM identity through collaborative work across STEM areas, portfolio development, and presentation.
  • Allows students to compete intellectually at the local, state, and national levels.

If you are new to Invent Idaho, you may watch some short training videos (see below), 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.

As with past years, we will host 3 Regional Competitions in Boise, Pocatello, and Coeur d’Alene. The competitions will field participants from around their respective regions to compete for an opportunity to advance to the State Finals Competition on April 9-10, 2027 on the University of Idaho campus in Moscow, ID. If you are in a remote region of the state and traveling to a Regional Competition is not practical, we are also happy to work with schools to identify finalists for the State Finals competition without attending a regional event.

For details or questions on how to get started, please reach out to Program Directors Beth Brubaker (bethbr@inventidaho.com) or Shelley Pressley, Ph.D.  You may also contact your incredibly knowledgeable Regional Coordinator (see contact us page of the website). Invent Idaho professional development trainings are available for your school or district.

Registration

REGISTER HERE or at https://forms.gle/eMK9G597znA5Jame7 for 2027 Invent Idaho. Use this link if you are a DISTRICT, SCHOOL, OUT-OF-SCHOOL ORGANIZATION, OR INDEPENDENT INVENTOR. Do NOT use this link if you are a student whose school , district or organization participates in Invent Idaho.

The Deadline for registering for a Regional Event is Dec. 12, 2027.

North Region –
Regional Competition: 2027 TBD at Silver Lake Mall in CdA

Southwest Region –
Regional Competition: January 15-16, 2027 at JUMP in Boise

Southeast Region –
Regional Competition: 2027 TBD at Idaho State University

Helpful Resources

Regional Judging Form Grades 1-8:

Helpful Resources

 

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:

The National Invention Convention curriculum: https://www.nationalinventioncurriculum.org/

Impact on Students 

Each year, we are pleasantly reminded by parents and teachers about the positive impact that this program provides for Idaho youth. These students get to pursue ideation of solutions to real-world societal problems and let their ideas be heard! The program enables them to compete using their ideas at progressing levels, including the potential to compete at the National Invention Convention at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI. Most importantly, the program enables students of all ages and abilities to develop their STEM identity through practicing communication and self-advocacy of their ideas. We believe the program is truly life-changing to many of the participants each year and are honored to continue to promote this program throughout the state of Idaho!

 

Idaho Young Inventor Julianna Schwam

Pictured below, Julianna Schwam, is a 5-time repeat inventor, participating at the National Invention Convention 3 times. In 2020, as a 3rd grader, Julianna earned the “Best Notebook” Award at the National Invention Convention, and in 2026, Julianna received her first U.S. Patent!