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Guidelines for Parents and Guardians Your child’s school is invited to participate in the
Annual Edison Young Inventors Program. This unique educational opportunity
promotes your child’s potential development of lifelong skills in preparation
to meet the demands of the future. Participating schools each receive a set of program
materials with a list of resources as well as remarkable opportunities for
students to showcase their creativity.
The exciting Thomas A. Edison Regional Inventors Fair is but one on
this list. Guidelines will help to
clarify the process and provide a common ground for all educators to benefit
from. Teachers may have their classrooms focus on the regional
fair or select from one or more nationally sponsored competitions. Their students can pursue individual and/or
small group projects. The steps taken to
fulfill the requirements of Thomas A. Edison Regional Inventors Fair will
better prepare them for several of the nationally sponsored
competitions. Very significant
scholarship awards and prize moneys will benefit the student winners and in
some cases their schools and community! It is very important to recognize the Edison Festival
Regional Inventors Fair is limited to individual student participation. Only one student per exhibit will be
recognized for purposes of selecting winners and awarding prizes. Only one trophy and award may be claimed
for each category. Sharing in the process of inventing with your children
or their classmates is not only acceptable it is encouraged. The emphasis here is on being
supportive rather than assuming a lead role. The Log Book should be used to record any
and all assistance provided to the student inventor. A child’s experience should not be diluted by the selection of
winners. It is wise to remember
many important discoveries and inventions were not at first accepted or
appreciated for their benefits. The
overall experience is intended to generate more creative thinking and problem
solving skills, not to mention a greater appreciation for how things are
often taken for granted yet were invented at some time by someone. Fairness and safety are very important for
all involved. Inventors must meet all
safety rules and regulations to participate in the regional fair. Review the
exhibit space dimensions with your children.
Prototypes or models must fit within or immediately below the 32 by 18
inches table space allowed. Consider a small model of large inventions. Or
use photos or illustrations. In the regional fair, all kindergarten through third
grade students will be ushered to a parent pick up area after completing the
judging process. This area is in the
lobby immediately outside the exhibit hall.
Parents are requested to remain close by to assume responsibility for
the safety of their child following the judging period. Winners will be notified in the early afternoon by the
placement of ribbons on the student’s exhibit. Please note, first, second, and third place
plus special merit awards will be publicly announced during the awards
program. Students with outstanding
inventions in specific categories such as agriculture, communications,
construction, health related fields, most humanitarian, sports, toys and more
need not receive a winner’s ribbon to qualify for special merit awards. All participants and their families are
invited and encouraged to attend the Regional Awards Program, the time and
place to be announced. Finally, your child will need your permission to
participate in the regional and nationally sponsored competitions. The potential
for media coverage is significant.
Your child may appear in news reports, special event stories or in
film footage to be utilized for educational or promotional activities. |