How to Enter the Young Inventors' Showcase of Houston
Do you have an idea for the next great, million-dollar invention? Here’s your chance to show it off! Build a prototype of your invention and enter it in the Young Inventors' Showcase of Houston!
Entry in the Showcase is free and open to all children kindergarten through eighth grade. Families, schools, scout troops, home schools, and other individuals and groups are welcome and encouraged to apply to participate.
Application Process
In order for your invention to be considered for the 2012 24th Annual Young Inventors’ Showcase of Houston, your application including a photograph of your invention must be postmarked no later than April 14, 2012. All applications will be reviewed and those receiving the highest ratings will be invited to participate in the Young Inventors’ Showcase Finals at the Children’s Museum of Houston on Saturday, May 19, 2012. Those chosen to proceed to the finals will be notified by April 29th. All participants in the Young Inventors’ Showcase Finals are expected to be at the Children’s Museum of Houston on May 19, 2012 with their prototype (subject to rules and regulations regarding approved materials) and display boards from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.>>Click Here to Download Showcase Application in English
You may fax your application (please send photos separately) to: 713-522-5747
You may mail your application to:
Will Rice
c/o Children's Museum of Houston
1615 Binz
Houston, Texas 77004
2010 Second Place Winner
Avery, Jack, and Brett Dwyer with Indoor Vermi-2000
Judging Criteria and Procedures
It is very important that you stay with your invention during the judging period, as all inventions will be judged at least three times. If you are not with your invention and ready when the judges arrive at your table, your invention will not be judged. You will be judged on a point system of 100 possible points that are weighted to six topics:
- Patentability: The invention reflects original creative thought and provides evidence of no similar product on the market. (Worth 35 points)
- Marketability and Practical Value: The invention has practical value. (Worth 25 points)
- Evidence of Invention Process: The Inventor's Log book accurately reflects the process through to the end result. (Worth 15 points)
- Product Presentation: The inventor is enthusiastic about his/her invention. (Worth 10 points)
- Design and Construction: The invention is well designed and constructed, made wise and creative use of available materials. (Worth 10 points)
- Product Prototype: The inventor has promoted the invention with eye-catching and creative materials. (Worth 5 points)
For Information about Display Guidelines
Before planning your display, be sure to carefully review the rules for project displays. Make your display a creative visual summary of your entire project. How you display your invention—the color scheme, graphics, pictures, lettering, etc.—are all important because your display will serve as a "silent" salesperson for your project. See “Photograph Display Restrictions” below regarding photographs. Make sure to note on your application if you will need electricity, otherwise your invention may not be near a source of electricity on the day of the Showcase.
Everything associated with your display must fit into the space allocated for your project, which is 76cm (30in.) deep x 122cm (48in.) wide x 274cm (108in.) high if floor mounted. Only use floor mounted projects for extra tall/heavy display boards and/or equipment. If table mounted, the height limit is 198cm (78in.); width and depth remain the same. Most display boards are constructed of plywood or foam core. Please think carefully about using expensive equipment, such as computers. The Children's Museum of Houston is not responsible for lost or broken equipment.
2010 Young Inventors' Showcase Participant
Nathaniel Quan with Car Door Rain Canopy
Display Rules and Safety Regulations
- The exhibit must be set up at the assigned location.
- The name of the student, teacher, or district must not be a visible part of the display.
- The inventor is responsible for the set-up of his/her own exhibit.
- No radios, TVs, tape players, or other sound transmitting devices may be played unless the sound transmitted by the devices is used as part of the invention.
- Laser pointers, except as a part of the invention, are not allowed.
- Inventor’s Logs should be available at the display for review by judges.
- The following items are NOT allowed to be part of the display:
o Live animals, including vertebrate and invertebrates o Live cultures of microorganisms or fungi (including molds) o Poisonous plants o Taxidermy specimens or parts o Preserved vertebrate and invertebrate specimens or parts o Human/animal parts (exceptions: teeth, hair, nails, dried animal bones, histological sections, and sealed wet mount tissue) o Other potentially hazardous biological agents o Open flame o Flammable liquids (ex. Gasoline) o Flammable gasses (ex. Propane cylinders) o Poisons o Hazardous chemicals and materials
Photograph Display Restrictions
Photographs and/or visual depictions are allowed if:
- Credit lines of their origins (“Photograph taken by …” or “Image taken from …”) are attached, including photos from someone other than the inventor, the internet, magazines, newspapers, journals, etc.
- If all photographs being displayed were taken by the inventor, one credit line prominently displayed indicating that the inventor took all photographs is sufficient.
For photographs of human subjects (other than the inventor and/or inventor’s family), signed consent forms must be available at the project.
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