Regional Competition Date

October 24th - Held Virtually on Zoom

Overview:

• Open to grades K-2

• Open to Public, Non-Public, Charter, and Home School

• Students will design and create an original invention 

• Competition is virtual 

• Students are judged in the following grade bands

  • • K-4

    • 5-8

    • 9-12

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. If you are selected as a finalist, you will display your prototype at the state event.  

Regional: Present to Judges

Participants will interact with judges.

Design Documents:

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.

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 the U.S. Nationals.

Judging:

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

Prohibited Materials/Items:

• Weapons, Explosives, Dangerous Chemicals

• If you are not sure, please ask.

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.

Timeline: 

• Register NOW

• Registration Closes October 11th, 2024

• Competition Held on October 24th, 2024

• Regional Winners Announced by end of day October 25th, 2024

• Regional Winners will advance to the State Competition in February 2025 (Location: Hershey Hotel)

• State Winners will advance to U.S. Nationals in Spring 2025