Invention Convention New York provides a statewide pathway for young inventors (grades K-12) to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills with the possibility of the advancing to the Invention Convention Nationals.
Inspiring Youth Inventors: Your Journey Starts Here
Across the country, young inventors just like you are turning creative ideas into real-world solutions—and many have gone on to earn patents, launch startups, and gain national recognition through Invention Convention.
These student innovators began with a simple question: “How can I make the world better?” Through curiosity, creativity, and the support of the Invention Convention community, their ideas grew into inventions that changed lives. Some created safety devices, some designed new technology, and others solved everyday problems—and yes, some became official patent owners while still in elementary, middle, or high school.
Their stories show one powerful truth:
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Innovation has no age limit.
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You don’t need to wait to become an inventor.
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Your idea could be the next big breakthrough.
At Invention Convention, you’ll learn how to turn your imagination into invention—from identifying a problem, to designing, prototyping, testing, and presenting your solution. Along the way, you’ll join a community of creative thinkers and gain the confidence to take your ideas further than you ever imagined.
If they can do it, so can you.
Your invention journey—and your chance to become a patent owner—starts here.
Success Stories
Student Requirements
As part of the application process, students are required to have:
- an original invention;
- a logbook using the provided template to record their invention journey;
- a prototype or model;
- a short pitching video;
- a presentation poster.
Detailed guidelines and templates for each of these materials can be found under the
Resources section of the website.
How to advance to IC-NYS
Students can advance to the sattewide IC–NY Finals by one of the three ways:
- Virtual Preliminary Application Open to K–12 students from any area in New York State. Finalists selected in this virtual preliminary advance to the IC New York State Finals. Top inventors from that event advance directly to the Invention Convention New York.
- Direct Advancement by the approved science fairs: You can apply to one of these in-person STEM fairs—Terra Fairs— or local and regional fairs in your region. They will select the ICNY Finalists to represent their organization.
- Direct Advancement by the approved programs (4-H, JA) and schools (PLTW, FFA): Accept high school students from across New York State.
State Competition
The statewide IC New York Finals bring together the top inventors. Grand Awardees from the IC NY State competition advance to represent New York at the National Invention Convention, joining peers from across the country in celebrating innovation and creativity.
U.S. Invention Convention Nationals
The national Invention Convention (IC Nationals) is held each June at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. It features top young inventors from across the United States competing for national recognition and awards.
Among its most prestigious honors are the Project Patent Application Awards, recognizing 14–16 standout student inventions. These awards are sponsored by leading law firms specializing in intellectual property and include pro bono support for patent research, application preparation, and filing fees—helping students take the next step in turning their ideas into real-world innovations.
Each level of competition—State and National—encourages students to refine their inventions, strengthen their design-thinking and communication skills, and gain recognition for their creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit.