2026 California Invention Conventions
Our Regional Conventions are the capstone events of our program. We are celebrating our 10th year of inspiring confidence in applied STEM, creative problem-solving, and entrepreneurship in schools and after school programs across the state.
This year, as in years past, student inventors in Kindergarten through 12th Grade are asked to identify a problem in their own lives, or that of their families, or the community – and engage in the iterative process of creating an invention to solve that problem. Finalists from local and school conventions are selected to attend regional-level events.
In order for more students to be able to participate, there are two regional California Invention Conventions. One is for students from Southern California and the other is for students from Northern / Central California. Winners from each will earn prizes and have the opportunity to represent the state of California at the Nationals competition, held by the Invention Convention Worldwide and the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation – date TBD.
Both the Northern / Central and Southern Region California Invention Conventions are scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Northern / Central California Invention Convention will be held at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. The Southern Region California Invention Convention will be held at El Camino College in Torrance. Check this list to learn which counties are assigned to each convention. Details will be posted as they become available.