Frequently Asked Questions

Any K-12 student in Ohio can participate in Ohio Invention Convention at no cost. Inventors who cannot participate through their school or a participating program may register to invent through our Independent Inventor Program. Students inventing through the Independent Inventor Program participate at home, with the support of the invention League team, family members and  friends. Ohio Invention League communicates with this group directly and shares access to materials, updates, and links to register and upload video submission for Regional Competitions. 

Yes, we welcome all students, regardless of grade. If your school or grade does not participate, you may register for the Independent Inventor Program. Please check with your school before registering for the IIP program.

Yes, we allow teams of up to 4 students to participate. All team members must participate in the invention process and the video submission. CollegeAdvantage 529 savings awards earned by teams will be split among the team members equally.

Yes, a journal/logbook should be prepared and uploaded during your registration. The Invention Convention Worldwide curriculum provides a journal at each grade level.

A logbook is a journal that the student records in from the very beginning of the invention  process and helps the student structure their invention-thinking process. It documents a  student’s path to invention. In programs that use logbooks, students will start their very earliest  conceptual thinking in a logbook and chronicle this as it continues through to the end of the invention process. 

Yes, you must upload a display board this year by a picture, Google Slides, PowerPoint (PDF version), or another format you choose. Students who advance to Invention Convention U.S. Nationals will be required to create a tri-fold display board.

You can find the rubric and guidelines below. If you follow the rubric and the guidelines, you will meet all the elements required in the video submission.

• Video Presentation Guidelines 
• Judging Rubric 

We understand students will be working and learning in different models, including virtual and distance-learning. Each team member must appear in the video, following the video pitch rules and instructions above. Both team members need to have the same video uploaded. The first student to register using TEAM choice will add the video, display board and logbook and give the Project ID number at the end of the registration to their teammate to use when registering as a team. Both team members should present in the video.

It is at the inventor’s discretion to wear what you would like for your presentation. Remember, you are representing your invention and all your hard work, and you will want to be taken seriously. Think about what that means to you and do your best to look nice for the judges.

While you may use note cards or a script to discuss your invention through prompts in your video presentation, a full script is highly discouraged, as your note cards may be distracting and  result in a loss of points in the communication section of the rubric. Try to get so comfortable with  your presentation that you do not need a script! Practice your presentation often, and have adults  ask you questions about your invention while you practice. This should help you get comfortable  with your presentation before you record it. Students in grades K-3 are permitted to be prompted by an adult. Students in grades K-3 are also permitted to do a Zoom call, or another format, with an educator to discuss their invention process.

The easiest way to upload your video in registration is to create your video, save it as an MP4 file, and upload to YouTube. Please publish your video as an “Unlisted” video on YouTube, then copy the video link, and paste the link into your registration form. Competition registrations will not be complete until your video link is included in the required field. 

If you do not have a YouTube account, you may send the MP4 file to OIL team. Our team can publish your presentation as “Unlisted” video on our account and will provide you with a video link to add in your registration form. Competition registrations will not be complete until your video link is included in the required field.

Check out this video to learn how to submit your video.

Please remember: If you set your video to “Private” when you upload it to YouTube the judges will not be able to view your video or give you a score for the video portion of the rubric – you MUST set the privacy level of your video to “Unlisted”. Only individuals with the link will see your video when “Unlisted”. 

Students advancing to Regional Competitions will receive a link to register from either their educator, out-of-school program leader, Ohio Invention League. Students should  have their project and support materials (journal, display board, video submission) uploaded and registration completed before the Regional Competition registration close date. 

Students who advance to the OIL Invention Convention State Competition will be notified in late May. Students will not be required to complete another registration or submission for the State Competition.

When creating your student account, you will be given a username and you will create a password. Please save this information, as you will need them when logging into your registration to edit and/or add information

You will receive an email from the zFairs platform upon completion of your registration. If you do not receive an email confirmation, please contact info@inventionleague.org

Almost $30,000 in CollegeAdvantage 529 savings awards will be awarded between the two competitions. Students advancing to the State Competition will receive a t-shirt, inventor gift package, and award recipients will receive a ribbon and/or trophy.  

Awards presented at the State Competition Award Ceremony include: 

• Edison (Best of Show) in two grade divisions: K-5th & 6th-12th 
• Industry Innovator Awards in two grade divisions: K-5th & 6th-12th
• Highest scoring invention in each industry category (for each grade category)
• Grade level awards  
• Honorable Mention