Rules

Teams/Individuals

Students may enter individually or may enter as a team of up to 4 members.

Prototypes

Prototypes may be built from any type of material which is not expressly prohibited or potentially dangerous. You do NOT have to submit a working prototype. For the virtual competition, you will take pictures of your prototype. If you are selected as a finalist, you will display your prototype at the state event. Please make special arrangements for large prototypes as most participants will be displaying on shared tables.

Virtual: Uploaded 3-Minute Video

Participants will create a video (up to 3-minutes in length) which will describe the invention. No special editing or effects are required. The production value of the video will not be scored.

Regional: Present to Judges

Participants will interact with judges.

Design Documents (Upload for Virtual)

Design documents may include a digital logbook or notebook, photos of your logbook, photos of your invention, or any other documents you want to share about your design.

Prohibited Materials/Items

Weapons
Explosives
Dangerous Chemicals
If you are not sure, please ask.

Interest and Submission Deadlines

Please note deadlines for interest as well as material uploads for virtual submissions.

Virtual Submissions

All projects must be submitted online and include digital photos, short video, and design documents. Please submit documents in PDF format.

Regional Submissions

Display invention and provide logbook for judges to review.

Tri-Fold Displays

Tri-Fold Displays are NOT required for the virtual competition.
Tri-Fold Displays are OPTIONAL for the regionals and the statewide competition (finalists only).
Tri-Folds are MANDATORY for projects advancing to U.S. Nationals.

Judging

A scoring rubric will be used for consistent scoring. The very nature of this event means that scoring is objective. Several judges will evaluate each project. The PAIC executive directors holds the final say on all judging issues.

Finalists

The top inventors of the virtual competition and winners of regional events will be invited to the face-to-face, state-wide competition.

Intellectual Property

If you are interested in patenting your intellectual property, please speak with a patent attorney or familiarize yourself with patent law in Pennsylvania. Please contact the PAIC Executive Director for helpful resources.

Fees/Costs –

Virtual/Regional/State Competition – Varies
US Nationals – Fee as set by Invention Convention (U.S. Nationals)