A Celebration of Student Innovation

The featured segment highlights Inventionland Education’s 2025 Invention Contest, a national event that brings together some of the brightest and most imaginative young minds. Students who have won their local school competitions earn the opportunity to pitch their inventions at Inventionland’s world headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA.

This capstone event is more than just a contest; it is the culmination of months of creativity, hard work, and learning. The students face the exciting challenge of presenting their ideas to a panel of judges, who will evaluate ingenuity, problem-solving skills, and presentation abilities. Supported by teachers, parents, and the Inventionland Education team, these students gain invaluable real-world experience that will serve them for years to come.

Middle School Division Winners:

1st Place: “The Untie Not”

• Created by Olivia Adams and Samantha Preist from Grove City Middle School (Grove City Area School District).
• Product Description: This is a simple solution for shoes that come untied. A small mechanism gets attached to your shoelaces to keep the knot in Place.

2nd Place: “Need Guard”

• Created by Ethan Cooke, Elijah Lawson, and Gavin Purdy from Grove City Middle School (Grove City Area School District).
• Product Description: Needle Guard prevents losing the pump needle in a basketball, soccer ball, etc., as well as helps prevent it from breaking in the first Place.

3rd Place: “Crayon Cast”

• Created by Abby Borsa, Maggie Paxton, and Kinsley Elkins from Neil Armstrong Middle School (Bethel Park School District).
• Product Description: Have you ever had a crayon break while using it? This product is a cast for your crayons, designed to provide the crayons with more durability while in use.
  

Applied STEM in Action

At the heart of this event is Inventionland Education’s applied STEM innovation curriculum. This program goes beyond textbooks, giving students the chance to explore hands-on invention and problem-solving in a way that mirrors real-world innovation. Through this approach, learners develop not only technical skills but also creativity, resilience, and teamwork.

The contest embodies the mission of Inventionland Education: to inspire a new generation of inventors and innovators. By encouraging students to dream big and pursue their ideas, the curriculum helps prepare them for careers in engineering, design, entrepreneurship, and beyond.

Inside Tomorrow’s World Today

Now in its ninth season, Tomorrow’s World Today continues to explore the worlds of inspiration, creation, innovation, and production. Past episodes have featured global leaders in science and industry, including NASA, Toyota, Caterpillar, and U.S. Steel. By featuring Inventionland Education, the program underscores the importance of cultivating innovation at the earliest stages of learning.

Viewers will not only see the competition unfold but also gain insight into how applied STEM education nurtures imagination and equips students with the skills to tackle real-world challenges.

Watch and Stream

The premiere airs Saturday, August 30th, at 10 A.M. on the Science Channel. For those who miss the live airing, the episode will be available for streaming on YouTube, with an encore presentation scheduled for September 28th at 8:30 A.M on Discovery. This provides multiple opportunities for educators, students, and families to witness the excitement of invention in action.

This premiere is more than a television segment. It’s a national stage for students to showcase their creativity, celebrating education that inspires inventing and reminds us of what is possible when young minds are empowered to innovate.

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For educators and students, prototyping is essential in bringing innovative ideas to life, and it all starts with choosing the right materials.

Inventionland Education offers a hands-on introduction to prototyping as part of its extensive professional learning program.

In this case, we’ll cover one of our most professional workshops because cardboard is one of the most versatile materials available. This workshop provides educators with the tools and techniques to transform simple cardboard into functional prototypes that spark creativity and innovation so your students can learn in a very hands-on, interactive way.

Why Cardboard is the Perfect Medium for Prototyping

Cardboard is often the go-to medium for prototyping due to its accessibility and practicality. It is an inexpensive material found almost anywhere, from shipping boxes to retail packaging. Its lightweight yet durable nature allows creators to build strong structures while remaining easy to manipulate. Whether folding, cutting, or layering, cardboard’s versatility makes it ideal for prototyping projects.

Not only is cardboard affordable, but it’s also sustainable. Repurposing cardboard for projects reduces waste and teaches valuable lessons in eco-conscious innovation. Its surface can be easily written on or marked, making it an excellent choice for brainstorming and labeling parts during the early design stages.

Folding and Shaping Techniques for Cardboard

Mastering cardboard involves learning specific folding and shaping techniques. Simple folds, tabs, and slots can create sturdy joints, while curves can be achieved by scoring the surface lightly before bending.

Layering pieces strengthens larger prototypes, allowing them to support weight or withstand pressure. These techniques empower creators to transform their ideas from flat sketches into three-dimensional models.

Participants in the Inventionland Education workshop will gain hands-on experience with these methods. They will explore how to create stable structures, movable components, and intricate designs—all using basic tools like box cutters, rulers, and glue.

Prototyping Projects with Cardboard

From functional prototypes to imaginative creations, the possibilities with cardboard are endless. Some popular projects include:

• Structural models: Bridges, towers, and architectural prototypes.
• Mechanisms: Moving parts like gears, levers, and pulleys.
• Wearable designs: Costumes, accessories, or wearable tech prototypes.
• Interactive models: Game boards, puzzles, or pop-up mechanisms.

Each project showcases how cardboard can bring ideas to life while serving as an approachable medium for inventors of all ages.

Working with cardboard becomes even more effective with these pro tips:

1. Scoring for smooth bends: Use the back of a utility knife to score lines without cutting through, making folds cleaner and easier.
2. Reinforce weak points: Add layers or use tape to strengthen areas that experience stress or pressure.
3. Mark before cutting: Always measure and draw outlines to ensure precise cuts and prevent material waste.
4. Experiment with adhesives: Different glues and tapes can provide varying levels of strength and flexibility.
5. Decorate and detail: Use markers, paint, or printed labels to add finishing touches that bring prototypes to life.

Questions and Answers

Every Inventionland Education workshop can begin and end with an open Q&A session, allowing participants to ask questions, share insights, and troubleshoot any challenges they face. This interactive portion fosters collaboration and encourages attendees to think outside the box—literally.

Prototyping with cardboard is more than just an exercise; it’s a gateway to exploring creative problem-solving, sustainable practices, and hands-on learning. By teaching these foundational skills, Inventionland Education inspires a new generation of inventors to dream big and start small, one piece of cardboard at a time.

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