Please Excuse The Delay During Our Renovations!
Regrettably, Sponsorships for this academic year were not in place - so we are foregoing a convention for the Spring of 2012. We strongly feel this opportunity should be free to everyone.
Instead, we are using this time to plan for the 2012-2013 academic year.
We have formed a new NFP (Not-For-Profit) corporation and elected a Board of Directors. We are also filing for a NFP status 501(c) (3) to enable us to accept tax deductible donations and sponsorships and purchase supplies without paying sales tax. This should address some of the financial constraints we have been facing.
Please check back frequently to this Website as we update our plans!
May 14, 2011 Rochester Museum & Science Center
The 2011 Invention Convention was a great success! Thank you to all who attended and took part!
Inventing is an Imagination Celebration!
The last two years Invention Convention State Finalists have been given on the same day as the Regional event. There is no longer a separate event to hand out the medals and T-shirts.
2011 Invention Convention Medal Winners with their District Coordinator,
Ms. Rivoli (back row, 3rd from right)
See more 2011 photos here!
Last Year's Event at RMSC May 15, 2010 Photos
Photos by Matt Carnevale
Among the talented participants in the 2010 Invention Convention Final at RMSC, are (left)Lindsay Gallagher being interviewed by 13 News for her Car Parking Technologies and (right)
Caroline Smith "The Crushinator". For more great pictures of the 2010 Invention Convention, please go to our photo gallery here.
Models by Young Inventors on Display
Every year, the Rochester Museum and Science Center (RMSC) holds the Invention Convention. This program is statewide and open to students in public and private schools who are enrolled in grades one through nine. It encourages young people to use creativity along with the development of analysis, design, and problem solving skills in areas such as math, science, and technology. The local Invention Convention is sponsored by the Rochester Intellectual Property Law Association, and the RMSC.Selected models from the Invention Convention will be featured in the Young Inventors: Shining Stars from the Invention Convention display. The Science and History Division, located on the third floor of the Bausch and Lomb Building of the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, cordially invites the public of all ages to view these models during the month of July.
The Science and History Division is also home to the Chester F. Carlson Patent and Trademark Center. It was designated a Patent and Trademark Depository Library in 1999, and is partially supported through a generous grant from the Chester and Dorris Carlson charitable trust. Staff in the division is trained to help people search for patents and trademarks. Perhaps some of the young inventors will use our resources. Please come by during the month of July to see these wonderfully creative designs.
For more information, please call the Science and History Division at 585-428-8110.
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.