Invent an Alien has been a side competition of the Manitoba Schools’ Science Symposium since 1985. Tina Hellmuth has been in charge of this competition since 2001 and before that Bob Ludwick was in charge of it. The competition offers students a second avenue to attend the provincial Science Fair. Invent an Alien follows the design process; having students build a theoretically testable entity that needs to meet the criteria of being a believable biological creature that has adaptations to live on the harsh climates and conditions of other planets or moons.
Every year a different location in our planetary system is chosen as the Alien’s home. Choice of location is often based on which planet or moon space probes have recently explored. Over the years students have learned about almost all of the planets and many of the larger moons.
It is possible to do Invent an Alien in English or French. All materials are available in both languages. An increasing number of teachers in Immersion programs have entered projects because it allows their students to learn and apply accurate French technical and scientific vocabulary.