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Invention
Convention 2012 (IC 2012) is designed to encourage scientific
problem-solving in students of all ages, as well as to promote creative
thinking. Designing a new invention or a new process can be a valuable and enjoyable way to develop the skills of creative problem-solving that can be used for
years to come.
To
design a new invention, there are a few steps that you must follow. The
first of these, which is usually the hardest, is to think of a problem
that you wish to solve. Once you have decided on your problem, you must
now come up with a solution. At this point you can draw a picture of
your invention or an outline of your new process.
Parents and Teachers:
The
following is a list of steps for your child to follow when preparing
for the IC 2012.
Use
the example Invention
Disclosure Forms as a guide for your own disclosure form and as an
example of the kind of invention that your child can submit.
What
am I going to invent?
Step
1: The problem to be solved
The first step in coming up with a new invention is to think of a
problem that you wish to solve. Most new inventions are improvements on
someone else's idea. It makes something they already have work even
better. It can also be an entirely new idea, one that nobody has ever
thought of before. Remember that your invention doesn't have to be a
thing; it can also be a process or a better way of doing something. A
good way to come up with an idea is to think of something that drives
you crazy or something that you can never get quite right. For example,
if you can never get a soda bottle open, then design a new bottle cap.
You can also ask your parents, teachers and friends for ideas of things
that they might need. Another way to think of an idea is to think of an
object that you already have and to list all of the problems with it.
Step
2: How to solve my problem
Once you decide on a problem, you have to think of a way to solve that
problem. If you decide that you want to develop a way to keep ice cream
cones from always dripping on your hands, then you have to think of a
way to catch the melted ice cream or, instead, keep the ice cream cold
enough so that it won't melt. Remember to take into account just what
it is that you're going to make your product with and try to determine
if your solution will be practical. Try to be as creative as you can
with your ideas. You might come up with a great new idea! Draw a sketch
of your product or an outline of your process making sure that
everything in your design is exactly the way that you want it.
Step
3: Entering my invention
After deciding on a problem to solve and inventing a solution for that
problem, now you must fill out your invention disclosure form and draw
a sketch of your invention. Try to make your drawing as clear as
possible, and the entire form as neat as you can. Presentation is an
important part of your application since the judges will be more
inclined to select an invention that is clear and understandable. Make
sure that the invention disclosure form is signed by a parent or
guardian.
Step
4: Judging and Awards
The judging will begin April, 2012. Each disclosure will be reviewed
for originality and creativity, as well as practicality. Of all the
inventions submitted, 100 will be selected as semi-finalists for the
regional ceremony. Twenty-five finalists will then be selected for
recognition at a separate activity.
Step
5: Making a Model
Semi-finalists will be invited to create a model of their invention for
display at the Schenectady
Museum and Suits-Bueche Planetarium. Students who are
selected as semi-finalists must submit a model to be considered for the
special activity. The model does not need to be a working model and
cannot be any larger than 1' by 1' by 1'. The model should not have the
name of the student or school attached to it. Judging to select the 25
regional finalists will be based on the disclosure form and model only.
No additional display materials will be permitted.
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