Michigan Invention Convention

The Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will be participating in the Michigan Invention Convention hosted by The Henry Ford. Join us for a discussion on intellectual property and visit our resource booth to gather resources for inventors.

The Michigan Invention Convention provides a live, interactive opportunity for youth inventors and entrepreneurs, 3rd-12th grade, to display their critical thinking and entrepreneurial skills by inventing and pitching a product with the chance of moving on to the National Invention Convention Entrepreneurial Expo in June 2018. It is our vision that the Michigan Invention Convention will provide a space for the Michigan STEM community to celebrate and be inspired by inventors and entrepreneurs of all ages, backgrounds, and disciplines.

For more information on the event, please visit: https://www.thehenryford.org/current-events/calendar/michigan-invention-convention/.

TimeEvent ActivityArea
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Check-in for Students & TeachersHenry Ford Academy
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Check-In for Judges, Partners, & GuestsWelcome Center
10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.Welcome & Introduction
Mike Moseley, Senior Manager of Guest Services at The Henry Ford
Museum Plaza
10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.Judge Orientation
All registered judges must attend this brief orientation for event judging.
Anderson Theatre
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Showcase Presentations 
  1. What’s Next for Your Student Invention?
    Intellectual Property & Patent Rights Panel Discussion with
    • Alford Kindred, Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional
      US Patent and Trade Office
    • Susan Kornfield, Bodman Trade and Patent Attorney and Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Michigan
  2. Live Coding by Black Girls Code-Detroit (ends at 2pm)
 

Anderson Theatre
 



Drive-in Theatre

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.Judging
Students take part in a judging circle to share and discuss their inventions with judges and peer inventors.

During this time, we invite families and guests to enjoy the showcase displays and presentations.
Museum Plaza
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch at THF Restaurants
Michigan Café, Lamy’s Diner, and American Dog House

Explore the Partner Showcase
Learn about and get connected with some of Michigan’s current innovators, educators, and entrepreneurs

Join the Museum Scavenger Hunt
Using a smart device, explore the museum floor to discover the habits and actions of American innovators.
 
1:30 p.m. Award Presentation
Students return to plaza for presentation of awards.

Lunch and scavenger hunts end.
Museum Plaza
2:00 p.m.Program Conclusion
All MIIC Participants are asked to stay for group photos
Museum Plaza