Create a groundbreaking invention!
Welcome to Invent the Future, where each year more than 1,000 middle schoolers take on real-world problems and invent real solutions.
You’ll get to work with a team, learn new skills, solve problems creatively, and persist through failure — all skills for the future. Your future.
Be a part of the solution. Invent the future.
Step 1: Register by April 18th. Form a team with 3-6 middle school students (6th – 8th graders). You’ll also need an adult Team Coordinator. Coordinators can sponsor multiple teams.
There is one $30 registration fee per team.
Step 2: Dive into your ITF resources. Upon registering, your team will have exclusive access to an ITF Overview Packet and skill-building resources.
Step 3: Decide on a real-world problem to solve, then work as a team to make a physical representation of your invention. These are prototypes — so don’t spend more than $60 on materials.
Step 4: Submit your concept for review by May 1st. Don’t worry, your invention does not have to be complete by this date! We just need to know your plan.
Step 5: Show off your work at the Expo on June 1st! Present your invention at KID in front of your fellow inventors, KID staff and visitors, and real-world industry innovators. Your team could win awards and prizes!
Does the Adult Team Coordinator need any special experience or skills?
No special skills are required — just a willingness to support and facilitate (without over-guiding). If you have questions or need guidance, we are here to help! Email us at inventthefuture@kid-museum.org.
What is the time commitment for students?
On average, teams spend approximately 10 hours developing their ideas and building prototypes.
I know a student who wants to participate but can’t find a team. What should we do?
We emphasize teamwork as part of the ITF Challenge. Please contact us if you are having difficulty assembling a team.
What’s the “Expo”? Is it open to families?
The June 1st Invent the Future Expo is a full-day celebration of innovation. Bring the whole family for a day of creativity and fun!
Looking for some inspiration to help you get started? Here are a few projects that we hope will spark new ideas.
Remember, Invent the Future asks for prototypes, not necessarily full-sized or fully functioning inventions.
Air Ink
Air Ink captures air pollution before it enters the environment and converts it into ink.
Bite Toothpaste Bits
A toothpaste tablet packaged in recyclable, refillable glass containers, designed to eliminate the need for plastic toothpaste tubes.
On average, teams spend approximately 10 hours developing their ideas and building prototypes.
Teams must have between 3 and 6 students and one adult coordinator.
All Invent the Future team members must be in 6th to 8th grade and have at least one adult team sponsor.
We emphasize teamwork as part of the ITF Challenge. Please contact us if you are having difficulty assembling a team.
Yes! Siblings and friends are welcome to be on the same team.
Yes! But in order to ensure each team member has a full experience, we encourage you to fully assemble your team before beginning to work. Please contact us with any questions.
No special skills are required — just a willingness to support and facilitate (without over-guiding). If you have questions or need guidance, we are here to help! Email us at inventthefuture@kid-museum.org.
At KID Museum, we believe that fostering student agency is a key part of this experience. The Team Coordinator’s role is to guide and support without solving problems for the team. This includes sharing the resources with the team, ensuring that each team member is engaged and has a role to play, procuring materials, and keeping deadlines and schedules on track for prototype completion and entry requirements before the June 1st Expo.
The $30 registration fee includes exclusive access to an Invent the Future overview packet, skill-building resources such as video tutorials, and support from KID Museum educators as needed. It also covers a showcase space at the June 1st Expo and lunch for each team member on that day.
Yes! Financial assistance is available through our Access for Every Maker program. To apply, please fill out this form.
If you are part of the After-School ITF Club, you will form your team within the club community. Therefore, you do not need to participate in the Form Your Own Team option.
Please email us at inventthefuture@kid-museum.org and we’ll do our best to assist you.
The Invent the Future Overview Packet includes suggested themes and problem areas for students to explore.
The Invent the Future Overview Packet includes a list of suggested materials and approved tools for prototype building.
The June 1st Invent the Future Expo is a full-day celebration of innovation. Registered ITF teams will be assigned a showcase time window to present their prototypes. These students will also have the option to have their inventions evaluated by scientists, inventors, and innovators working in various disciplines and industries. Lunch is provided for all Invent the Future showcasing teams, with additional food and beverages available to be purchased by all visitors. The Expo will feature hands-on activities, live music, invention challenges, and more. Bring the whole family for a day of creativity and fun!
Invent The Future teams are encouraged but not required to showcase their projects at the Expo. All teams that wish to participate must register in advance. Details on Expo registration will be provided to Team Coordinators after team enrollment.
These workshops offer studio time and expert guidance from Maker Educators to help students develop the design and fabrication skills needed to create their “looks like” and “works like” prototypes. Workshops take place in our specialized studios and cover topics such as woodworking, coding and microprocessors, electronics, and open build/design support. For more details and registration, see the workshop listing — space is limited, so sign up early!
Once your team is registered, the adult Team Coordinator will receive an email with access to all the resources you’ll need.
Yes! Students can receive feedback and support throughout the challenge in several ways:
Access for Every Maker: We are dedicated to expanding access to all makers by providing free and reduced-cost ways to participate in our programming. Please use this form to reach out if you are an educator, a member of the military, or if program fees pose a financial hardship, and we’ll ensure you and your family can participate.
