Inventions Change the World
What do a lightbulb, airplane, iPhone, and wi-fi all have in common? They're all inventions that changed the world.
And guess what? Students don’t have to be a scientist or straight-A student to be an inventor. All it takes is curiosity, creativity, and the ability to spot everyday problems. Whether it’s on the field, in the kitchen, classroom, or backyard—opportunities for invention are everywhere. They just have to be willing to look and imagine what could be better—let’s help them!
The Iowa Invention Convention (IIC) is a hands-on program that guides any Iowa student (K-12) through the invention process—identifying real-world problems, creating original solutions, and presenting their ideas. Through this journey, Iowa students become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and confident communicators, gaining skills that prepare them for success in school, careers, and life.
Led by the Jacobson Institute at the University of Iowa, the IIC is the state’s official pathway to Invention Convention U.S. Nationals, hosted by The Henry Ford. Iowa students have the opportunity to showcase their inventions at the state level and, for top inventors, advance to compete on a national stage.
Any Iowa student in grades K–12 may participate through a public or private school, homeschool, after-school program or online academy.
3 Curriculum Toolkits for Teaching Invention
These curriculum toolkits were developed by educators in collaboration with the Jacobson Institute, allowing upper elementary through high school students the opportunity to experience invention at their own level.
By using this curriculum, your students will have a direct path to Invention Convention—check out the rubric, checklist, display board guidelines, and more for everything required on both the statewide and national level.
Free for Iowa educators and available for purchase for non-Iowa educators.
KidInnovator
- Taught over one semester or the entire school year
- 1 track model: teach invention OR entrepreneurship
- 2 track model: teach invention AND entrepreneurship
BizInnovator Startup
- Taught over one semester or the entire school year
- Focuses on entrepreneurship—invention infused in select lessons
- Designed with the business and marketing teacher top-of-mind
All About Invention
- Taught as a lesson, after-school program, or camp
- Focuses on invention
- Designed to provide a direct path to Invention Convention
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YOUTH INVENTORS COMPETED AT 2025 RTX INVENTION CONVENTION U.S. NATIONALS
These two Iowa inventors took home four total awards!
Not an Iowa educator, but interested in Invention Convention?
The curricula options provided above, work for you regardless of what state you're in! Download your materials today.
Half of the states in the country have a designated affiliate who share the vision of providing access to innovation, invention and entrepreneurial learning. If you are not an Iowa educator, find your state affiliate on the Invention Convention Worldwide (ICW) page.
There is also an Independent Inventor Program (IIP) designed for U.S. students who have a passion for inventing and educators who are interested in including invention curriculum into their classrooms and find themselves in one of the following categories:
- You live in a state that doesn't currently have an ICW affiliate or program
- You are a K-12 student who is outside of the grade or age-range supported by your local ICW program
- You are a homeschooled student and your ICW affiliate or program does not accept individual participants (many ICW affiliates do accept independent inventors, so it’s important to check with your region’s ICW affiliate program first)
- Students may only participate in the IIP if they do not have access to participating in a local or state affiliate and students may only participate in one Invention Convention pathway
The Roadmap: From Idea to Invention
Follow these steps using the descriptions and key dates to guide your students through Invention Convention.
Steps | Description | Key Date |
STEP 1: Teach invention | Iowa educators use the free curriculum to teach invention. | Any time 2025-26 |
STEP 2: Submit Intent to Invent form | Iowa educators submit the Intent to Invent form—indicating the estimated number of students who are learning invention and how many of those are considering competing at the IIC statewide competition. Based on the number interested in competing, the Jacobson Institute will provide the educator with an allocated number of student invitations for state. | By Jan. 9, 2026 |
STEP 3: Iowa educators host a local competition and invite winners to advance to state | Iowa educators need to host a local competition (could be in the classroom) to identify which students will advance to state and extend those allocated invitations directly to their students. | Before Mar. 5, 2026 |
STEP 4: Iowa Invention Convention state competition registration deadline | Invited students need to be registered for the Iowa Invention Convention statewide competition—a signup link will be provided. Nametags and winners certificates for state will be based on the information that's submitted. | By Mar. 12, 2026 |
STEP 5: Iowa Invention Convention state competition | Invited Iowa students travel to Iowa City, IA to showcase their inventions and compete at state. | On Apr. 11, 2026 |
STEP 6: Parents indicate yes/no for nationals | Parents of state competition winners will receive a packet of information in-person with next steps along with a detailed email the week following state. | Week of Apr. 13, 2026 |
STEP 7: Invention Convention U.S. Nationals registration deadline | Parents of state competition winners need to register their student for nationals—upload their logbook digitally and submit a video of their presentation. The sooner the better—payment is not due right away. | By May 7, 2026 |
STEP 8: Invention Convention U.S. Nationals competition | Invited state competition winners travel to Dearborn, MI to compete at Invention Convention U.S. Nationals, hosted annually at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. | On June 3-5, 2026 |
"Attending nationals was a fun experience—learning about others' inventions and meeting people from around the country. I got to ride in a Model T, go to the watch shop, explore the village and museum and went inside the house the Wright brothers grew up in. I didn't win any awards, but I did have a lot of fun with friends."
—Taylin, Treynor Elementary School, Grade 4
Iowa Educators: Tools for Teaching Invention
Invention education brings real-world learning into the classroom. It supports STEM, literacy, and entrepreneurship goals while helping students think critically and solve meaningful problems, but Iowa educators don’t have to do it alone. Register your students' intent to invent this year and help get them on the path to Invention Convention!
Invention Requirements
- Invention logbook: records what the student tried, learned, ideas, research, images, drawings, and thoughts over time—not a summary at the end, more of an ongoing journal throughout the entire process
- Display board: should be created at the end once all of the work is complete and the invention is ready to be showcased, acts as a visual element for the presentation
- Prototype or model: it doesn't matter if this works or not, we're looking to see if this effectively communicates what the students' invention is and what they're trying to accomplish
- Presentation with Q&A: 5 minute presentation and 5 minutes of Q&A where they articulate the process they went through and all the work they did to get to where they are today
Judges Rubric Highlights
- Invention process: identifying and understanding the problem, ideating, designing and building, and testing and refining
- Invention impact: market research, and environmental and societal impact
- Inventor communication: logbook to track their process over time, display board to showcase their invention, prototype or model to communicate their invention, and live presentation with Q&A
Community Members: Secure a Front Row Seat to the Next Big Idea
Judge the Competition
Come support the next generation of Iowa inventors by signing up to judge the statewide competition. No technical background is required from you, just a passion for encouraging Iowa's youth.
The Iowa Invention Convention competition will be hosted on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, IA.
Sponsor an Inventor
Consider supporting the next generation of Iowa inventors through sponsorship. Opportunities include:
- A student award with your company's name recognized
- Travel costs for students to compete at state or nationals
- Programming support for the onsite state competition in Iowa City
- Giveaways for students and teachers to celebrate their involvement in invention
Scholarship Application
If your child has been invited to compete at state or nationals and requires financial assistance, you may apply for a scholarship—statement of need, partial or full amount, and free or reduced lunch documentation are required to apply.
The Golden Ticket to U.S. Nationals
Congratulations to these inspiring, young inventors on their accomplishments!
2025 Iowa Invention Convention
Congratulations to these Iowa inventors who won awards at state and advanced to nationals:
- Oliver invented the Recessed Rescuer | Summit Schools
- Taylin invented the PB&J Fresh Your Way | Traynor Elementary School
- Charles invented the Fire C.A.V.E.S. System | Homeschool
- Gus invented the Nail Picker Upper | Lewis Central Community School District
2025 RTX Invention Convention U.S. Nationals
Congratulations to these Iowa inventors who won awards at nationals:
- Charles invented the Fire C.A.V.E.S. System | Homeschool
Won 2nd Place for 6th Grade
Won the Best Video Presentation
Oliver invented the Recessed Rescuer | Summit Schools
Won 3rd Place for 2nd Grade
Won the Transportation Category Award
Finalist for Best Inventor Logbook