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CONTEST OVERVIEW
Thomas Edison Pitch Contest
How will you make the world a brighter place?
The Thomas Edison Pitch Contest was created in 2010 as a competition to showcase and encourage invention, innovation and entrepreneurship among students before they get to college. Every year, students submit their great ideas to win prizes and gain the hands-on experience exclusive to our contest!
Students in grades 4-12 are invited to compete in this contest honoring innovation & Thomas Edison. We will have an elementary school category, middle school category, and high school category to compete in. Our fun STEM contest will allow students to create their own inventions to solve problems that they see in the world today. You'll have the chance to:
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Learn about STEM, history, & entrepreneurship all in one contest
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Receive a FREE Maker-Kit full of inventing supplies from Picoturbine of $200 value (Limit of 3 per school) & a $200 Stipend for your teacher/mentor
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Pitch your invention to a panel of judges who are real-life scientists & entrepreneurs
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Work on a team with friends to win the Grand Prize - A 3D PRINTER FOR YOUR SCHOOL
Our Challenge to You...
Through this contest, we are aiming to not only invent to improve technology, but invent to change the world. Thomas Edison was a humanitarian - He did not invent to make money...he made money to invent! Edison had a unique way of linking technological progress to society's well being. He once said:
“My desire is to do everything within my power to free people from
drudgery and create the largest measure of happiness and prosperity.”
- Thomas Edison
Edison propelled his philanthropy through his business whether it was bio-manufacturing a new rubber plant when there were fears that the US would run out of the natural resource, developing low cost concrete houses to address housing shortages, or allowing the free use of his fluoroscope patent(s) for medical use.
We are challenging students to do the same - Be an inventor and a humanitarian! Students will choose a cause that is important to them (i.e. alternative energy, natural disaster relief, COVID pandemic innovations, animal welfare, etc.) and invent to create a solution for this problem that they see in the world.
Why Choose Our Competition?
With so much going on during the school year, it is hard to choose exactly what you want to squeeze into your 180 days. Let us help you choose our contest...
COMPLETELY DIGITAL SUBMISSIONS SAVE TIME
By making submissions easier (through our NEW digital programs & materials), we'll save you time doing administrational work, leaving you more time to do the most valuable part of this competition - Work on your inventions!
EVERYONE CAN PARTICIPATE, NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL
From homeschoolers to private schools to under-funded public schools, we have always welcomed teams from all different backgrounds to compete in our contest. We provide all of the supplies that you need to compete with no hidden fees, minimum requirements, or prior experience required.
HANDS-ON LEARNING THAT PREPARES STUDENTS FOR THE REAL WORLD
Hands-on is by no means a “new” movement, in fact Thomas Edison often used this methods in his R&D labs. That being said, even today, many schools find it difficult to incorporate hands-on projects and principles into student work. This contest gives your students the opportunity to engage more, put skills they've already learned into practice, use critical thinking to understand how what they are learning can be used in the real world.
INTERDISCIPLINARY LEARNING KEEPS THINGS INTERESTING
From history to STEAM to entrepreneurship, this contest is a lot more diverse than your average science competition. Learning about all of this in one project is all about creating something new by crossing boundaries, and thinking across them. Seeing problems in 3D will help students be successful in all walks of learning and life.
HELPFUL & ATTENTIVE STAFF
Although our digital programs have become more advanced and automated over the years, our contest support is more alive than ever! At the other end of the email, question box, and phone line are the staff at the Edison Innovation Foundation who are working hard to keep this competition alive for students and teachers alike. There is no such thing as a stupid question or too many questions for this staff.
STUDENT TESTED, TEACHER APPROVED
We have continuously improved our contest over the years to fit the needs of students, teachers, school, parents, and more with expert help and 10 years of experience. The contest is not only a hit among students, but loved by teachers and parents as well! Don't take our word for it though, see reviews from past competitors below:
Contest Testimonials
The students had a great learning experience; parents were elated at what the students accomplished; teachers and administrators were excited that the students applied their learning in a field of their interest!
TEACHER MENTOR
Thank you very much for all that you and the rest of the Edison Pitch Contest do for the kids. Many of these students don't have another outlet to showcase their true abilities, and this contest gives them that outlet. These moments will resonate with them for a lifetime.
TEACHER MENTOR
I love that competing in this competition requires students who are both builders and video creators to work together.
TEACHER MENTOR