State Finals 2023
Join us on June 10th to celebrate K-12 Innovation
State Finals 2024
Join us on June 8th to Celebrate K-12 Innovation!
Welcome to the 41st CT Invention Convention State Finals event presented by Stanley Black and Decker and hosted by the University of Connecticut!
We look forward to welcoming hundreds of top K-12 inventors, judges and guests from across Connecticut on Saturday, June 8th. Join us in celebrating 41 years of excellence in student innovation and entrepreneurship!
This is an invitation-only event for finalist inventors, judges, sponsors and guests. Event information can be found below.
We look forward to welcoming hundreds of top K-12 inventors, judges and guests from across Connecticut on Saturday, June 8th. Join us in celebrating 41 years of excellence in student innovation and entrepreneurship!
This is an invitation-only event for finalist inventors, judges, sponsors and guests. Event information can be found below.
Location
University of Connecticut
Gampel Pavilion
2098 Hillside Road, Storrs, CT 06268
Gampel Pavilion
2098 Hillside Road, Storrs, CT 06268
Date & Time
June 8th, 2024
Location
University of Connecticut - Gampel Pavilion and ITE Building (judges training)
2098 Hillside Road, Storrs, CT 06268
Note: General Judges will check in at the Information Technology and Engineering Building (ITE) for training. See parking and event map below.
2098 Hillside Road, Storrs, CT 06268
Note: General Judges will check in at the Information Technology and Engineering Building (ITE) for training. See parking and event map below.
Event Schedule - General Judges
8:15 - 9:00 AM
General Judges Check In - ITE Building
General Judges, please check in at the ITE building lobby. Coffee and baked goods will be provided. Note: please allow yourself 10 minutes to park and make your way to the ITE building.
If you are one of the few judging only for a specialty or sponsor award, please check-in at the West Entrance of Gampel.
If you are one of the few judging only for a specialty or sponsor award, please check-in at the West Entrance of Gampel.
9:15 - 10:20 AM
Judges Training - ITE C80
CIC Staff will provide an overview of the judging process.
10:30 AM
Transition time
Judging groups make their way to Gampel for judging. Each judge group (3-4 judges) will be assigned a "circle" of about 8 projects.
10:45-12:00 PM
Judging Period - Gampel Pavilion
Judges will visit their assigned projects and hear about each inventor's idea. Inventors should be prepared to share a brief (2-4 minute) overview of their invention. Judges can follow up with questions and take a couple of minutes to view the project materials.
12:00 PM
Transition time
Judges return to ITE C80.
12:15 - 1:30 PM
Judge Reporting and Lunch
Judges deliberate and report winners to CIC staff. Lunch to follow. Judges are welcome to depart after judging is complete.
1:45 - 3:30 PM
Optional - Awards Ceremony - Gampel Pavilion
Judges are welcome to attend the awards ceremony in Gampel Pavilion.
Parking Information and Event Map
Parking:
Z & Y Lot: Free Parking, Recommended - Access via Bolton Road
South Garage: Paid Parking - pre-pay at self-serve kiosk
B Lot: Accessible Parking (via Discovery Drive - Hillside Road - Alumni Drive - Jim Calhoun Way - behind Werth to Parking Lot)
FAQs - General Judges
Where and when should judges check-in for the event?
General judges should go to the ITE building Lobby for check-in between 8:15 - 9:00 am. See map above for location. Coffee and light breakfast items will be served.
When will judging conclude?
Judges will submit their winner selections to us by 1:00 PM. Lunch for judges will follow, and judges are free to depart once judging concludes, or may attend the awards ceremony.
How will the judging process work?
General judges will be assigned to a judging "circle" of about 8 inventions. Each circle will be judged by 3-4 judges. Judge groups will visit each project in their circle. During this time, the inventor(s) will share a brief overview of their invention, followed by time for judges to ask questions and view the project materials. Judges will have a clipboard with judging sheets. After the judging period, judges will return to the ITE building to deliberate and submit winners to us.
Can I choose which grades or inventions I judge?
In order to ensure an even distribution of judges across all groups on the day of the event, we cannot guarantee that we can accommodate requests for certain grades or inventions.
Can I bring my children to judge with me?
Although Finals is a family event, we ask that judges do not bring their children with them to judge. The invention floor is very busy and we want to help ensure that judges are free to focus on the inventors during the judging process. However if you have family members who would like to attend as guests and see the projects during the open viewing time, they are welcome to register as guests here.
Can Judges stay for the awards ceremony?
Judges are welcome, but not required, to attend the awards ceremony.
General judges should go to the ITE building Lobby for check-in between 8:15 - 9:00 am. See map above for location. Coffee and light breakfast items will be served.
When will judging conclude?
Judges will submit their winner selections to us by 1:00 PM. Lunch for judges will follow, and judges are free to depart once judging concludes, or may attend the awards ceremony.
How will the judging process work?
General judges will be assigned to a judging "circle" of about 8 inventions. Each circle will be judged by 3-4 judges. Judge groups will visit each project in their circle. During this time, the inventor(s) will share a brief overview of their invention, followed by time for judges to ask questions and view the project materials. Judges will have a clipboard with judging sheets. After the judging period, judges will return to the ITE building to deliberate and submit winners to us.
Can I choose which grades or inventions I judge?
In order to ensure an even distribution of judges across all groups on the day of the event, we cannot guarantee that we can accommodate requests for certain grades or inventions.
Can I bring my children to judge with me?
Although Finals is a family event, we ask that judges do not bring their children with them to judge. The invention floor is very busy and we want to help ensure that judges are free to focus on the inventors during the judging process. However if you have family members who would like to attend as guests and see the projects during the open viewing time, they are welcome to register as guests here.
Can Judges stay for the awards ceremony?
Judges are welcome, but not required, to attend the awards ceremony.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
