Independent Innovator Challenge

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ATTENTION K-12 INNOVATORS WITH AN IDEA, APP OR PROTOTYPE

Innovation World will host the National Innovator Challenge (NIC) for K-12 students across the United States in the spring. Top innovators from the National Innovators Challenge have the opportunity to advance to the Global Innovation Challenge held September 25 and October 2, 2021.

To qualify for the National Innovator Challenge, students typically advance from their state or regional competition through one of Innovation World’s Alliance Member Organizations. If students reside in an area where there is not access through an Alliance Member Organization, they may qualify to participate through the Independent Innovator Challenge. Find out if there is an Alliance Member program near you.

The Independent Innovator Challenge (IIC) is designed to provide K-12 students from across the United States a pathway to the National Innovator Challenge, to share and be celebrated for their brilliant Ideas, Apps and Prototypes.

What is the Independent Innovator Challenge?
The Independent Innovator Challenge (IIC) is an annual, K-12, innovation competition that promotes and celebrates youth innovation in the United States.
- 2021 Registration: CLOSED
- Feedback to all Innovators: emailed by May 7, 2021.
- Invitations for those advancing to the Live Event: emailed by May 7, 2021.
- Live Independent Innovator Challenge via Zoom: May 15 – May 22.
- Independent Innovator Challenge Celebration and Awards Ceremony: May 24.
- Submissions are accepted in the following categories: Idea, App and Prototype. This is how each category is defined:
  - Idea – The innovation is a detailed designed of a future App, Prototype, Program or Organization, created with words,
    pictures, calculations, plans on paper or electronically. There may be a physical display model, but the model has no
    functionality. Examples:
    
    Design of a device to feed the dog.
    
    Design of a program to distribute unused food.
  - App – The innovation consisting of an application or software program strictly on a circuit board, computer, tablet, phone or other electronic device, that does not extend beyond the device. Examples:
    
    Software program to operate the device to feed the dog.
    
    Software to keep track of the quality, quantity and location of unused food.
  - Prototype – The innovation is a tangible, physical item that has been constructed and has some, if not all, of the
    functions and capabilities that it might need to be actually used in the real world. It may not be made of the correct
    materials, it may not be the correct size and it may certainly not work as well as it should, but it does have or, at least,
    had the ability to perform at least some of the functions it is intended to do. Examples:
    
    “Working” model of device to feed the dog.
    
    Device to transport food to the people who need it.

Who is Eligible to Participate in the Independent Innovator Challenge?
Eligible participants will meet all of the criteria below:
- Students are in grades K-12 (or the equivalent),
- Individual students or student teams of up to 3 students may apply (all must be in an eligible grade).
- Applicants currently reside in the United States.
- Applicants were not eligible to participate through one of Innovation World’s Alliance Member programs. Find out if there is an Alliance Member program near you.

Participant Community Guidelines & Guardian Agreement

Student Handbook