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CONTEST TIMELINE
Mark Your Calendars with these Important Dates
The official Thomas Edison Pitch Contest will take place over the course over 3-4 months, however you can integrate this into your full year. Meeting deadlines is an extremely important part of this contest, meant to give students real-life experience as well as fun opportunities. Be sure to manage your time effectively to ensure success in the competition!
“A genius is often merely a talented person who has done all of his or her homework.”
Thomas Edison
Contest Timeline
DECEMBER 1 - JANUARY 10 - *Registration period
DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO JAN 17*
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Registration will be open on December 1 - Find out how to register here.
JANUARY 31 - IDEA VIDEO ASSIGNMENT DUE
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In the first video, you will focus on your invention idea, your primary research on the problem you are solving, your early designs/plans to complete your prototype.
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The purpose of this video is to get feedback on your idea and plans from our judges early on in the process.
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You will submit this through by Jan 31. You can expect short feedback from the judges within 2 weeks.
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The first notebook in your Engineering Design Notebook should help you complete this part of the process.
FEBRUARY- APRIL - WORK ON YOUR PROTOTYPE AND FINAL VIDEO
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All Parental Consent forms are due by Feb 14
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Once you have submitted your first video, your team will be sent our free STEM Maker’s Kit with the tools & materials to make your invention. You will receive them by the end of the month.Your team will have about 3 months to create a working prototype of your invention.
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During this time, you will complete the last 2 notebooks in the Engineering Design Notebook to record the process.
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Once you have finished your prototype, you will create a video pitch and present your final invention. This is the main item the judges will use to score your invention and decide whether or not you are a finalist.
APRIL 1 - FINAL SUBMISSION DUE - FINAL VIDEO AND NOTEBOOKS
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Your Final Presentation Video will count for most of your final grade for the contest and will be due on April 1. All 3 notebooks are also due by April 1.
APRIL 14 - FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
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Finalists will be announced one month before the final pitch event.
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This should give teams ample time to prepare for and hopefully plan travel to the final event!
MAY 14 - FINAL PITCH EVENT
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Finalists are invited to attend the formal pitch contest on Wednesday, May 14 to determine winner rankings & receive their prizes.
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They will pitch their idea in 5 minutes or less to a panel of expert judges at our fun-filled event virtually streaming from the Thomas Edison National Historical Park.