The Connecticut Invention Convention

Our Belief. At the Connecticut Invention Convention, we believe that invention and innovation are crucial not only to help better acknowledge and address the problems of today, but also to meet the challenges of tomorrow. We believe that equipping the next generation with a strong skillset in creative-problem solving is imperative, and that it must be done in a way that is accessible to all walks of life, all kinds of minds, and without the barriers that limit so many students from pursuing STEM today. 

Our Mission. The CIC’s mission is to provide the students of Connecticut with opportunities to inspire and develop critical-thinking and creative problem-solving skills through invention and innovation, instilling the spirit of ingenuity today and for the rest of their lives. 

Our Story. The Connecticut Invention Convention (CIC) is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1983 that has been fostering student interest in STEM for 37 years. The program consists of a strong, multi-level academic curriculum which is taught in classrooms, after school, and enrichment settings in nearly 300 public and private K-12 schools statewide. It is the longest continuously operating educational program for student inventors in the United States, and more than twice as large as the next biggest Invention Convention organization in the United States. 

Our Impact and Values

• Number of Students Reached: The Connecticut Invention Convention brought 6,500 students through full length Invention Convention programs, with 561 students competing at its State Finals event. 
• Number of Educators Reached: The Connecticut Invention Convention trained or supported 400 educators as they brought the programs to students across the state. 
• Number of Volunteers Enlisted: The Connecticut Invention Convention was supported by 1,171 volunteers as it deployed its programs across the state, including dozens across The University of Connecticut brands. 
• Diversity, Access, and Inclusion: This year, 34% of CIC inventors self-identified as inventors of color, 58% self-identified as female, and 33% came from below-median-income areas of the state. 
• Underserved Students: The Connecticut Invention Convention brought ten-week invention education programs to more than 2,000 students who come from below-median-income areas of the state. 
• Underserved Schools: The Connecticut Invention Convention brought its programs to more than 30 underserved schools across the state thanks to generous partners like you.