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FAQs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the convention open to the public?
Yes, the public may attend the opening and closing ceremonies, and view the inventions during the lunch break, typically between 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM. There is no admission charge.
In addition, there are usually UConn Campus Tours, Tens of exhibits from the School of Engineering, Museums, and other sponsors. Need I mention the famous UConn Dairy Bar, where ice cream is made on-site? And the "Barns" are usually open during the day at departmental discretion (check Uconn website beforehand)
Is there a national convention after the state one?
Not yet, but we are becoming a Leader in this workspace, and have given the program to other states, and even internationally. Hit "Home" and see our efforts in the Republic of Mauritius. We are currently working on plans to expand our program, enabling licensing of our curriculum, technology, and other intellectual property so that our students may compete in future National programs in a standardized and fair methodology. If you would like to volunteer in this effort, please Contact Us. .
Can a student register for the convention as an individual?
Yes, we allow students to register as individuals, provided his/her school does not participate in the CIC. There is a $15 fee to register as an individual, in addition to the $20 fee for attending the convention. To register as an individual, Independent Registrant click here.
Can the convention be canceled due to inclement weather?
No, the convention will definitely take place as scheduled.
How many awards are given out?
Students are separated into groups of approximately ten. From each group, judges select three students for recognition. They receive awards from the CIC. With over 650 students in attendance, the CIC presents about 180 awards. Also, other organizations present special awards for inventions in particular areas. For example, the CT Fire Marshal's Association presents awards for inventions related to fire prevention. Usually there are more than 50 other Special Awards, that are focused on a sponsor's special business or need. For a list of special awards, click here.
Does the state of CT run the CIC?
Generally no, however in 2008 we were very fortunate to receive a one-time $150,000 grant from then Speaker of the House Jim Amann's office, the CT General Assembly, and the Office of Policy and Management. As more elected representatives see the CIC as the entry pipeline for students to become our next educated 21st Century Workforce, we believe more and better funding will be provided to grow the CIC to more schools, with new state-of-the-art curriculum. The CIC is primarily funded by generous sponsors from amongst Connecticut's and this nations best companies. The board of directors are ALL volunteers, as mandated by our By-Laws, and Incorporation Papers. If you wish to support us, please click here.
How do I get my school to participate?
All it takes is a teacher to use the curriculum. Contact a teacher or school administrator and tell him/her about the CIC. This web site should provide all the needed information. At the beginning of the year, Teachers should REGISTER their school by going to the Teacher & School Registration page. Or simply Contact Us
How is the CIC different from a science fair?
A science fair focuses on experimentation and scientific research, usually deemed worthy for advanced study and possible future application, while the CIC curriculum is about problem-solving, solution-based activities, learning how things work or don't through experimentation, and various critical skills development to solve real-life problems resulting in a working invention. This creative application of knowledge provides a unique opportunity for students of any age to exercise a schools entire core curriculum and what a child has learned to date along their school-career path. The Connecticut Science Fair is a very worthy cause. both the CIC and CSF work together at times to promote activities and ventures that promote student's academic excellence. As a result the CIC suggests having students participate in both the CIS the the CSF.
The Connecticut Invention Convention itself is intended to provide a realistic experience with encouragement and comment by teams of professionals (Engineers, Patent Attorneys, Academics, Scientists and other business professionals) evaluating each invention, and peer interaction. To see a picture, click here.
If a student is sick or has another commitment, can he drop off his invention at the convention?
No, students must be present during judging, as they must present their inventions and answer questions from their peers and judges.
I want to patent my invention. How do I do it?
Patenting an invention takes time - a few years is typical - and money. Plus, having a patent doesn't mean that your invention will bring you riches, since the granting of a patent is not based on the whether an invention will be successful in the market. If a student wishes to provide a level of protection, one can apply for a provisional patent. Refer to the US Patent Office for more detail
ONE YEAR RULE: Generally speaking, an inventor has ONE YEAR within which he or she may apply for a patent, otherwise the invention may go into Public Domain use, where anyone can use the idea. The one year clock starts timing when the invention is first disclosed, used, or displayed publicly or published in a publicly available document such as a newspaper, television, or magazine. For students, this time clock starts when you have your local invention competition. The one year time clock may also start to click, when an inventor sells the invention or offers to sell the invention to another party.
If you feel your invention is very patentable, or valuable, consult an attorney for advice, and certainly visit the www.uspto.gov website, and look at options to file what is known as a Provisional Patent. This is one of the least expensive routes to protection.
For information about patents, click here to go to our Links page.
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