Who We Are – Connecticut Invention Convention

Our Mission

…is to provide the students of Connecticut with opportunities to develop critical-thinking and creative problem-solving skills through invention and innovation, instilling the spirit of ingenuity in students today and for the rest of their lives.

Our goal is to have every student, in every school become an inventor once, better twice.

What Is CIC?

The Connecticut Invention Convention (CIC) is an internationally recognized educational organization started in 1983. Throughout the year, teachers use our curriculum to develop creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills through invention and entrepreneurship. This culminates in the final competition event where we recognize students with awards and prizes for their hard work. Today, the program is open to all K-12 students across Connecticut, and is rapidly growing. Come be a part of our project!

Since 1983, around 300,000 K-12 Students Have Been a Part of CIC

Why Teach Inventing?

Invention provides students with a unique means to discover new skill sets and creatively apply these in real-life settings while nurturing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The CIC curriculum is standards-based and enables students to research, analyze and effectively focus on and solve their real-life problems. For more information, check the teacher’s portal.

What's the Impact?

Since its inception, an estimated 300,000 K-12 children, have experienced CIC invention programs. Annually the CIC serves more than 17,000 students in grades K-12 across Connecticut from nearly 300 participating Connecticut schools. CIC’s long history and successful principles helped give rise to The STEMIE Coalition (STEMIE) and NICEE, which elevates K-12 invention and entrepreneurship education to a national level.

In addition to the wide audience it reaches, CIC has produced many individual success stories that often result in students receiving patents and starting their own businesses. Click below to see some of our more successful serial inventors!

Our Staff

Working year-round and full-time on the many aspects of our program and organization, the CIC staff are the backbone of our organization. They are the leads in organizing thousands of registered inventors, developing the final event, doing professional development, and much more. Find out more information about our wonderful staff members and how to reach them here.