Project Lead The Way (PLTW) educators already guide students through real-world, project-based learning that builds STEM skills, creativity, and problem-solving. Invention Convention offers the perfect next step— advancing to IC–NY, IC–NY Finals, and IC U.S. Nationals platform where your students can showcase their PLTW projects, gain feedback, develop as entrepreneurs, and even explore patent ownership for their ideas.
Invention Convention is a K–12 program and competition that teaches students the processes of invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Students identify real problems, design solutions, build prototypes, and present their work to judges from education, engineering, business, and the innovation community.
If your students are already designing, building, and testing solutions in PLTW, they are already doing the work of inventors. Invention Convention simply gives them a stage to share it.
Invention Convention seamlessly integrates with many PLTW units and capstone courses that emphasize design, engineering, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
PLTW Launch & Gateway (K–8): Hands-on design challenges and prototypes can be reframed as invention projects submitted to IC virtual or direct advancing through the school for state-level competitions.
Introduction to Engineering Design (IED): Final design solutions, CAD files, and test results align naturally with the Invention Convention portfolio structure.
Principles of Engineering (POE) and other engineering courses: Prototypes, mechanisms, and systems created in class can be presented as inventions addressing real user needs.
Engineering Design and Development (EDD): This capstone course is an ideal match. Students already identify a problem, research it, and develop a solution—exactly what is required for an Invention Convention submission.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship–related experiences: Business plans, user research, cost analysis, and market studies developed in PLTW can be integrated into the entrepreneurial components of an invention project.
Invention Convention builds on skills students already practiced in PLTW.
· Identifying and defining real-world problems
· Applying the engineering design process
· Brainstorming, prototyping, and testing ideas
· Using data and feedback to iterate
· Evaluating impact, market need, and user experience
· Communicating solutions clearly
Participating in Invention Convention turns these classroom projects into opportunities for students to see themselves as real innovators and entrepreneurs.
Submitting PLTW projects to Invention Convention is simple. Students can:
· select their existing final project from any PLTW course;
· organize their documentation—engineering notebooks, research, CAD models, test data—into an invention portfolio;
· prepare a short pitch or presentation explaining the problem, their invention, and who benefits;
· submit to school regional competitions.
Because PLTW already emphasizes the design process, most students need only minor additions to prepare for Invention Convention.
One of the most exciting aspects of Invention Convention is the connection to intellectual property education.
Students may have opportunities to:
· Learn the basics of patents and protecting ideas
· Receive mentorship from individuals knowledgeable about the invention process
· Be nominated for programs that help guide families through the patent process
· Potentially earn patent protection for their invention
Some students nationwide have become patent owners—all starting with school-based projects. PLTW students can join them.
Invention Convention enhances your PLTW program in several powerful ways:
· Provides an authentic audience of industry judges
· Strengthens student portfolios and college applications
· Boosts visibility for your PLTW program within your school and district
· Encourages cross-curricular collaboration (engineering, business, ELA, art)
· Supports a culture of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship
Invention Convention can be integrated easily into your existing PLTW structure. You can:
· Designate selected PLTW units as Invention Convention pathways
· Feature invention projects in your classroom, school showcase, or innovation night
· Encourage students to submit their EDD or IED capstone projects
· Host a school-level qualifying event and send top projects forward
If you’d like to learn more about implementing Invention Convention in your PLTW classroom or exploring submission pathways, contact us for resources, educator guides, and competition details.
If any further question please email to info@newyorkinvents.org