Rules for Convention
How to Make Your Invention Display Board
Use posterboard, heavy cardboard, wood, pegboard, particle board, cork board, or other suitable
material.
Make the display board free-standing. You can do this by either cutting and taping three pieces
together, folding lighter-weight boards into thirds, or attaching some sort of reinforcement to
the backs of heavier boards.
Make sure your display board fits easily into the space allowed for your invention convention and still allows plenty of room for your invention model or prototype.
Your display board should include:
- the title of your invention
- the purpose of your invention
- a diagram of your invention with labels explaining its parts
- and how it works
- photos of your invention
Other things you might decide to include are:
- graphs, pictures, magazine and newspaper clippings that relate to your invention
- a jingle, song, or poem about your invention
- results of any surveys and/or research you did involving your invention
Make sure your display is neatly arranged and lettered -- press-on letters, stenciled letters, and computer signs work well.
Have fun with your display board -- let the artist in you show through!
What Makes a Good Invention?
(What the Judges are Asked to Look For)
- Is your invention really a new idea?
- Is your invention your own idea?
- Does your invention satisfy the need or want you identified?
- Is your invention usable?
- Will your invention work?
- Is your idea clearly described by a neatly constructed and easy-to-read poster?
- Do you have a complete journal or log that clearly describes every step you took in coming
up with, researching, planning, drawing, building, and displaying your invention?
- Does the drawing of your invention show:
- what your invention looks like?
- how it works?
- all the parts of your invention, with each part labeled?
- Is your model or prototype:
- as well constructed as you can make it?
- a size that fits in the space allowed for in the convention rules?
- Can you clearly describe the steps you used in thinking about and developing your invention?
- Did people other than you only do work on your invention that was unsafe or too difficult for you to do?
Welcome to Invent Iowa - A Guide for Convention Judges
Invent Iowa is a comprehensive, statewide program developed to assist Iowa's educators in
promoting the invention process as part of their regular kindergarten through twelfth-grade
curriculum. This program was initiated in 1987 through the support of state political, business,
and educational leaders in response to the future of rapidly expanding technology and the
reported decline in American inventiveness in relation to other nations.
Invent Iowa supports educators in teaching creative-thinking and problem-solving skills
associated with the invention process. As a means of teaching these skills, students are
encouraged to identify a real-world need or interest and develop their own invention which
successfully solves this problem. Students who participate in the program have the opportunity
to display their inventions at their local Area Educational Agency (AEA) and state "Invention
Conventions".
While the goal of competition is winning, the goal of evaluation is learning. The purpose of
evaluating inventions is to provide the students with constructive feedback on ways in which
they might improve their work. Evaluation is essential if students are to learn from the
convention experience.
Consistent with the goal of Invent Iowa the role of the evaluators is to provide an educational
experience for the students. Evaluators review inventions using a set of established criteria.
Part of the evaluation process involves giving a numerical score for each area of evaluation.
What is far more important, however, is the verbal interaction and the written comments provided
by the evaluators to the inventors.
The most important qualifications for an invention-convention evaluator include enthusiasm for
helping young people develop inventive skills, willingness to devote a small amount of time to
training and evaluating student inventions, ability to communicate effectively with kindergarten
through twelfth-grade students, and the capacity to use common sense in evaluating inventions.
The most critical aspect of the evaluation process is making the event a positive learning
experience for the students.
We believe Invent Iowa has the potential to make a significant contribution to the education of
Iowa students. The invention process involves so many skills which will be of increasing
importance in the next century: critical thinking, problem solving, mechanical ability, and
communication. Your contribution to the Invent Iowa program by serving as an evaluator, will
help to develop these skills in our young inventors. Thank you for your time and support.
Invention Feedback Ideas
- You certainly have identified a real problem.
- This looks like a workable solution.
- You have developed an interesting and new idea.
- I can tell that you put a lot of time and effort into your invention.
- Keep on inventing!
- I think you are on the right track.
- You did an excellent job of explaining your invention.
- What a clever idea.
- I'll bet you are proud of this idea.
- I'm sold on this idea!
- I couldn't have done a better job myself.
- You did a good job of helping me to understand your ideas.
- I'm glad that you didn't give up when ...
- You made some good choices of materials for this project.
- I'm convinced that your project would work.
- You did an excellent job of researching similar inventions.
- I was very impressed with your presentation.
- I can tell that you spent a lot of time on your invention.
- You did a careful job of constructing your invention.
- I'd love to see what you invent next!
- You have so many good ideas!
- I bet that this invention makes your (your family's, intended audience's) life easier.
- What a marvelous idea!
- I'm glad to see that you did much of the work by yourself.
- I believe that your invention will work well.
- I wish I had thought of this idea.
- Your display and diagrams were neatly done.
- I can tell that you really care about your work.
- I enjoyed hearing about your invention.
- I'm glad you found a solution to this problem.
- This invention could really help a lot of people.
- You seem to work well together.
- It sounds like you had fun making this invention.
- What an innovative idea -- this is a real improvement!
- Your explanation was clear and easy to understand.
- I'm glad to see that you're thinking about the problems of others.
Rules for Invent Iowa State Invention Convention
I. ELIGIBILITY
Participating Iowa students in grades 3 through 8 must have received an official invitation to
attend the State Invention Convention as authorized by an Invent Iowa Area Education Agency
Coordinator. (Iowa students in grades 9 through 12 participate through the High School
Division directed by the Invent Iowa State Coordinator rather than local Area Education
Agencies; different rules apply and are available upon request). Students must complete the
State Invention Convention registration materials and return them by the deadline date to the
state office, unless directed otherwise by their AEA Coordinator. All students who accept
invitations to the state convention are expected to attend the entire convention, and must be
accompanied by an adult (approved by parent or guardian) who will assume responsibility for the
student during the convention.
II. REGISTRATION
Invention registrations are to be sent to the address on the application form. A maximum of two students is permitted credit for an invention, and no
additions or deletions from the student(s) credited for an invention may be made once the state
invention convention registration has been received.
III. INVENTIONS
Inventions must be a completely new product or a significant new application of an existing
product. The invention must be the original work of the student(s). Although younger inventors
may receive adult assistance with power tools in constructing the model, prototype, or display,
all creative design and problem-solving activities associated with the invention must reflect
the original work of the student(s).
IV. INVENTION DISPLAY AND MODEL OR PROTOTYPE
Displays should include the following:
- name of the invention and the inventor(s)
- statement of the idea identified and the role of the invention in addressing it
- model, prototype, or diagram of the invention which provides evidence that it will work
- Official State Invention Convention Inventor's Log which documents the inventor's thought
processes and chronological development of the invention
- documentation that a similar invention does not exist
Students must assume responsibility for delivery of the invention and display to and from the
convention, setting up the display, staying at their display during the evaluation process, and
taking the display down and the convention's end. Invent Iowa cannot assume responsibility for
collecting or returning materials to participants.
Inventions must be self-contained and displays must fit within a 36" x 36" table space provided
at the convention. No ribbons, trophies, certificates, or other items received in local,
district or regional conventions are permitted on the premises of the convention center.
Batteries and electrical power are welcomed, but no running water or other additional resources
can be provided at the convention center. Inventions must be safe and must present no danger to
those attending the convention. Toxic or volatile materials, high-pressure gases, and open
flames or heating elements are specifically prohibited. Inventions that involve these items
should include only a representative model and photographs. In addition, no invention
resembling a firearm in appearance or action will be an acceptable entry in the Invention
Convention.
V. INVENTION PRESENTATION
Students should be prepared to give a BRIEF presentation (2-3 minutes) to the evaluation team,
stating the identification of the problem, the process of developing the invention, and how the
invention works to solve the problem. Students should then be prepared to answer questions
concerning the invention, including critical thinking, research, and problem-solving activities
related to the invention.
VI. EVALUATION
Inventions will be evaluated by a team of volunteers who are trained to examine the merits of
each invention based on the model or prototype, display, student presentation, Inventor's Log,
and the discussion of the invention and the invention process. Students will present their
inventions to the evaluators as well as the other students in their evaluation "circle."
Evaluators will be responsible for asking questions and making comments during the evaluation
process. Students are encouraged to interact with other students before and after each
evaluation. Parents, families, teachers and the general public will not be permitted in
proximity to the circles during the evaluation process. Other activities will be available at
those times.
Criteria for evaluation:
- the student has identified a need or want indicating an authentic issue to be addressed by
the invention
- the student has demonstrated that his/her invention will successfully address this issue
- the student has demonstrated that his/her invention involves a creative, new idea
- the student's presentation and log reflect his/her own work and understanding of the
invention process
- the invention design and model/prototype/diagram show appropriate use of materials, as well
as evidence that the invention will work
- the quality of the invention and the supporting display reflect careful preparation by the
student in support of his/her invention
* * * * * * * * *
If you have any further questions, please contact the Invent Iowa state office:
(319) 335-6148 or (800) 336-6463.
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