Our state level Invention Conventions run under the auspices of the state California Invention Convention and 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. 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 state level events. In order for more students to be able to participate, there are currently two state level California Invention Conventions. One is for students from Southern California and the other is for students from Northern / Central California.
The basic requirements for student participation is the same for each convention. Read Requirements & Restrictions. Additionally, each convention may have specific requirements that are sent to the student upon acceptance as a participant.
Winners from each convention will earn prizes and have the opportunity to represent the state of California at the Nationals competition, held yearly by the Invention Convention Worldwide and the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in June. The state California Invention Convention determines the number of national invitees from each convention depending upon the allocation from the National Invention Convention.
Are you an Independent Inventor? Learn more below
The 2026 Northern / Central California Invention Convention was held Saturday, April 18th at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. Dates for the 2027 convention will be published when available.
Learn more about Northern/Central California Invention Convention here

The Southern California Invention Convention was held Saturday, April 18th at El Camino College in Torrance. Dates for the 2027 convention will be published when available.
Learn more about Southern California Invention Convention here.

