Invent Idaho Information for Sorensen Participants Below is information to help you in putting together your Invent Idaho project. Think big and be creative! And have fun! Make sure to follow the official rules so that you can get full credit for your project with the judges, and read the judging criteria to understand how your invention will be evaluated. Please note that some of the steps below are suggestions for making your project the best it can be. As long as you follow the requirements, you don t have to do everything suggested. If you focus on the simple checklist below, you should be well on your way to a quality project. Sorensen Invent Idaho Schedule Wednesday, November 16 7:45am-8:15am: Inventor check in. Bring your project to the Sorensen gym and set up. 8:30am-1pm: Judging of projects. 1pm-3:30pm: Gym open for students to view projects and vote on Student Choice Award 3:30pm-4:30pm: Gym open for parents, students, and the public to view projects, see awards, and take projects home Friday, November 18 1:30pm: Invent Idaho awards announced at Friday Gathering Checklist for Completing Your Project o I thought about problems in the world and wrote them down in my process journal. o I brainstormed ideas for inventions that might solve some of these problems and wrote them in my process journal. o I selected an idea for my invention. It was my very own original idea. o I identified the category for my invention (see below). o I named the goal or solution my invention achieves. o I researched my idea to see if someone else had already invented it or something like it. I wrote about my findings in my process journal. o I did other research about why my invention could be important or make a positive impact on the world and wrote about my findings in my process journal. o I journaled about my invention process, from beginning to end, including problems I faced and how I solved them. o I journaled about how others helped me in my invention process. o I kept a record of my purchases related to my invention and kept all my receipts. I stayed within $25. o I created an attractive, creative, organized display of my invention that shows the problem, solution/goal, research, name and category of my invention. Invent Idaho Rules Below are the official Invent Idaho rules and requirements for your project: 1
* The idea of the invention must be student initiated. Help from parents or friends is acceptable but must be fully documented in the Inventor s Journal. The original idea must be the student s own. * The overall theme of the invention must enhance the quality of life and be humane. * Each invention must include a three-dimensional model or the actual invention. * A free-standing display (not wall poster) is encouraged. Display must include name of invention, blueprints or diagrams, goal or problem invention solves, and how the invention works or functions. * Cost of new materials is not to exceed $25.00, including free-standing display and model. All sales receipts for purchased materials must be included in journal or attached to display. Document donated, borrowed, or repurposed materials in Inventor s Journal. * An Inventor s Journal must accompany the invention. In the journal, students should document the inventing process from brainstorming through prototypes, and show how they have met the judging criteria. Neatly hand-written journals are encouraged. No names are to be included in the journal. * Inventions in any category may be entered by individuals or by teams of students. Mixed grade teams must register in the grade division of the oldest member. Note: if project is selected to win an award, one award is presented to the PROJECT. Duplicate awards may be purchased by additional team members for award-winning project. * Inventions from prior years will not be accepted. * All inventions will be judged by the same criteria. * No names or faces are to be included on the display, in the journal, or anywhere with the invention. Steps to Invent The below are some suggested ideas to follow in carrying out your inventing process: 1) Set aside a binder or a notebook to serve as your journal. A three-ring binder makes it easy to print and include any research you do. You need to document each stage of the inventing process in your journal. Keep notes of everything you do along the way, starting with brainstorming! 2) Read through the Invent Idaho categories and brainstorm ideas for each category. Parents can help students to figure out which ideas are the most promising. Decide on a category and whether you will work alone or have a co-inventor. If you know already which category you want to do or have an invention idea that only fits one category, skip this step. 3) Spend some time deciding what you will invent. You may want to choose your three best ideas and spend a little time thinking through each one. Remember, you are trying to invent something that is CREATIVE and ORIGINAL. One way to brainstorm: think of an issue or challenge people face, and consider what you might invent to solve the problem. 2
4) Research your idea. Does your invention already exist? How is your idea better or different than existing products? Include your research in your journal. 5) Gather materials to build your invention. Remember, you can only spend up to $25 on new materials. You can also use things around the house or items you can obtain at no cost. Collect receipts for all materials and include the receipts in your journal. 6) Build your model/gadget/game. Name it. Test your invention to make sure that it works well. 7) Create your display. This will be a freestanding display (it has to stand up on its own). Make it neat and visually appealing. Pictures/graphics are helpful. Poster board is a good material to use for your display. Be sure to include: your project title, a description of your invention, the steps you went through to create the invention, and the benefits of your invention. 8) Check your journal. Have you documented each step you have taken along the way? Are there any parts you forgot that you need to go back and include? Journal Ideas Remember to document each and every step of your invention process, from your initial brainstorming to gathering your materials to developing your logo and the name for your project. Include everything that you do because judges want to see that YOU, the student, have initiated and carried out the work to create the invention. Here are some items to think about and some things to include in your journal (not all of these are required, but will make for stronger projects more likely to get points from the judges): 1) Acquire a journal as your very first step in your inventing process. A three-ring binder can be helpful, or a notebook. It is fine to neatly hand write your journal entries. 2) Don t include your name or others names anywhere in the journal. Projects need to be anonymous for fair judging! 3) Journal entries should be in sequential order (put what happens first, first; put what happens last at the end of the journal). All entries should be dated. 4) Use your journal to brainstorm your ideas for your project. Write them all down, and show your process as you get closer and closer to the idea that you choose. Draw diagrams or pictures of your favorite ideas, and label them. 5) Research inventions similar to yours. You can visit web sites, go to the store, talk to people you know. Print out web pages that you visit as part of your research and include those as part of your journal. If you find that your invention has already been created, go back to step 4 and choose another idea. 6) Include drawings of diagrams or pictures of your final invention idea in your journal. 7) Include brainstorming ideas on your invention s name. 3
8) Include details on anyone who helps you with your project, and how the person has helped you. Did a parent help you to brainstorm? Did a neighbor teach you something new that was helpful in constructing your project? Did a sibling test out your project to make sure it works? All of this information should go in your journal. It s ok to get help so long as the main idea is your own and you document in your journal all of the help that you received. 9) Include information on how you acquire your materials for building your project, and paste in receipts from any new materials that you have purchased. Detail borrowed or recycled materials that you use and their sources. Describe any important details about the process of building your invention. 10) As you build and rebuild your invention, include information on any changes you have to make to help your project be the best that it can be. Testing, redesigning, and improving your invention is worth 10 points in the judging criteria, so don t forget to include details on this! 11) You may want to create a logo for your invention. Include your drawings in your journal. Display Ideas Think of your display as an advertisement for your invention. You re trying to explain to others what your invention does and how it works. And you re trying to convince the judges that yours is the best invention ever! *Make your display eye-catching, attractive, and neatly done *Consider using poster board, and make sure the display stands up on its own. *Neatly hand write or type the information that goes on the display. *Make the display visually appealing. Consider using different colors of construction paper as part of your display, for example as a background for text that is on white paper. Be sure that your display includes the following (these are required): -name of your invention -how your invention works -goal of your invention -the category you re competing in (ie, working model, adaptations) You can also include: -benefits of your invention or what problem it solves -pictures or additional drawings to show or explain how your invention works, or special features of your invention -testimonials from friends and family who say your invention is great! -a logo you create for your invention -a brochure or advertisement describing your invention ***Remember not to put your name anywhere on your display, or have pictures that show you or your family*** Invention Categories All inventions may be conceived, designed, and entered by individuals or teams in any of the following categories. 4
WORKING MODELS This category includes projects where students have produced a full-sized or scaled working model or sample of the invention that really works, in addition to accomplishing the stated goal. NON-WORKING MODELS This category is for inventions that would be too large, expensive, or technical to build. Entries in this category must be more than just a drawing; each entry must include a blueprint as well as a three-dimensional model or sample, which does not actually function. ADAPTATIONS This is an invention, which takes an idea already in existence and improves upon it. A threedimensional sample or model of the adaptation is required. New and improved! is the slogan for these inventions. GADGETS AND GAMES Gadgets are ingenious and novel devices or toys, for the purpose of entertainment, education, or amusement. This category also includes original board, computer, and other digitallyproduced games, designed and programmed by the student inventor, as well as sports or athletic games and activities. Examples of all the above games, along with complete instructions for playing are required. Inventors must provide all necessary technology and equipment for judging, as well as devices to secure that equipment. JULES VERNE!! This category encompasses all of those projects that would fit into any other category but are too futuristic or fanciful to be judged against more practical inventions. This is the fantasy category and will be judged heavily on originality and imagination. All projects must be accompanied by a neat, fully detailed 8.5 x 11 sheet drawing and 3-D model to represent the invention idea. Judging Criteria 1. ORIGINALITY: 35 POINTS Project represents original, creative thought; is a unique solution or innovation. 2. INVENTING PROCESS: 30 POINTS Model, presentation and journal all demonstrate how the student originated the idea (5 pts) and was the main contributor to the project. The journal must document student initiative and the inventing process from brainstorming (10 pts) and prototype (5 pts) to final project. Testing, redesigning and improving your own invention is part of the process (10 pts) 3. ACCOMPLISHES STATED GOAL, PROBLEM OR OBJECTIVE: 5 POINTS Project accomplishes goal, problem or objective as stated in Inventor s Journal and on display 4. VISUAL PRESENTATION: 15 POINTS Project and display are eye-catching, attractive and neatly done (7 pts.) Display includes name of invention, goal, how it works, diagram (8 pts.) 5. RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION: 15 POINTS Journal and/or display documents research related to topic AND existence of similar inventions. Topic research (5 pts): summarize new learning about your general topic. 5
Product research (7 pts): does your invention already exist? How is your idea better or different than existing products? Documents, in journal, all items used including recycled and borrowed items. Provide receipts showing evidence of staying under $25 for newly-purchased materials. Documents, in journal, outside assistance from adults; who helped them and in what ways they helped. (3 pts) BONUS:* Extra consideration will be given to projects that analyze the potential effects of their invention on the world, including but not limited to the environment and society. Include consequences, impact, and benefits (both positive and negative effects). What new technology, if any, still needs to be invented before your idea can become a reality? (3 points) About Invent Idaho MISSION: To inspire, encourage, and recognize students for their inventions, designs and innovations. Invent Idaho is the premier student invention program in the Northwest, having provided a forum for thousands of young inventors in grades one through eight since its inception in 1989. Invent Idaho is the only program in Idaho that celebrates student creativity and innovation, while teaching the inventive thinking process in an interdisciplinary curriculum. Young inventors participate in progressive levels of competitions, including three Regional events held across Idaho, culminating in an Invent Idaho State Finals event. Website More information can be found at www.inventidaho.com Questions? Contact Charlene Babb (CBabb@cdaschools.org), faculty coordinator, or this year s parent cochairs Rebecca Smith (smithrg2@gmail.com) and Ashlie Unruh (ashlieunruh@gmail.com) 6