Download Invention Convention Young inventors of Westmoreland County, it is

Invention
Convention
Young inventors of Westmoreland County, it is time to begin developing this year’s winning entry for the annual
Invention Convention. The rules are simple, but inventors should follow them to achieve success.
Some basic concepts will help all inventors to achieve success. The inventors which have been the most
successful have been those who have a good working model or well-constructed facsimile, an eye-catching visual display,
and a well-worded description. Simple inventions that enhance daily life have fared just as well as those which are large
in scope. At the state level, if an inventor makes it that far, it is very important to have an excellent written description
and a good, clear photograph.
Inventions can be done by an individual inventor or a team. Please be sure, however, that if you are working as a
team, each member has a clear understanding and agreement about any future plans for the invention. It is not
unreasonable to prepare for the possibility that the invention may be patent worthy, etc.; therefore, it is better to have such
agreements decided in advance.
Please arrive with the form and photograph completed. If more than one person is part of the invention, please
only submit one form with all inventors’ names included on one form.
The invention display should be on a tri-fold board or other self standing poster board, and include the
following:
1. the invention or a facsimile of the invention (may be a detailed drawing)
2. a marketing strategy including:
a. cost
b. where sold
c. population targeted
d. any information inventor deems pertinent
3. a written synopsis that details what the invention is, how the invention is made, a problem that it
addresses, and how it solves the problem in a new better way. (This information should be typed to
make it easier for the judges to read.
4. any display, demonstration, etc. that the inventor(s) decides will help his/her presentation
Please pay special attention to the following:
BRING THE COMPLETED FORM BACK WITH YOU
PRINT CLEARLY IN BLACK INK OR TYPE ALL INFORMATION
BE COMPLETE IN YOUR DESCRIPTION
HAVE A CLEAR, FOCUSED PICTURE ATTACHED TO THE FORM
On the competition day, each inventor will be assigned to a part of a table. The judges will come to each
inventor(s) to ask questions. Inventors may visit the other displays during the time they are not being judged, but they are
never to interfere with the judges’ progress. It is wise to bring work to do, games, or reading materials
Summary of Information
Place: Yough Intermediate Middle School Gymnasium
Date: December 10, 2015
Time: 8:30 (or as soon as the inventors arrive)
Lunch: Bring a bag lunch and something to drink
Necessary Items: Invention display
Completed form with photo
Lunch
Items to keep you busy
Please email me the total number of students from your school, as well as a list of their names and grade,
that will be attending by December 1, 2015. Be sure to contact me if you have questions – 724-872-5164
x73126 or e-mail at [email protected]. We are asking that each participating school provide one judge
for every 10 students you have participating in this event. So if your school district has 30 students
attending, then you should plan to provide three judges for the event. That judge may be you, a parent(s), or a
fellow teacher, if accompanying you to the event.
Please note that our Internet is locked so students are not able to access the internet with their devices.
Only our technology department has access to the network passwords and there is no guarantee that one of them
will be present in the building during the competition.
If a student invents a project that requires electricity, please encourage them to provide their own
extension cord. There are several available at the school but not many.
I have attached the Inventor’s form for students to complete. We do have several companies willing to
take over and judge the inventions beyond the local level, so please make sure you encourage your students to
complete the form.
Please encourage students to bring a book or other activity to occupy their time. It is a long day for
them and I understand that there is downtime. However, it takes the judges a while to view and score all of the
projects. Encourage your students to remain with their projects until after they have been judged. (For those of
you that are new to the competition, students’ projects will be evaluated by 3 different judges.)
The gymnasium is large and can accommodate up to 500 Inventions. We use this facility for our annual
science fair and have displayed as many as 550 science projects. Parents are welcome and encouraged to
attend. However, due to increased security measures, each school must provide me with a list of parents
that will be attending so that I can inform the office accordingly.
As in previous years, judges may decide to offer special category awards.
Happy Inventing,
Mandy Pazer
Registration Form
Invention Convention
School: __________________________________________
Sponsor: _________________________________________
Number Entering
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