To help host this event, Columbia Trust Company has provided sponsorship support to the California State Railroad Museum Foundation.
California Invention Convention (CAIC) is an initiative to bring invention education into California schools and to celebrate the young inventors with a state-wide event. The California State Railroad Museum & Foundation are honored to host the Northern/Central California state-level finals for the 2nd year.
Winners from this event will go on to compete at the National Invention Convention at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, MI.
Schools from around Northern and Central California have trained teachers in the program; from Mount Shasta to Visalia and points in-between. Last year, there were over 150 K-12 students participating, and we expect over 200 this year!
Help Make this event successful!
Being a judge or volunteer at the Invention Convention is a rewarding experience – and a lot of fun! You do not need to be an existing Museum volunteer for this event, but you need to register through the California Invention Convention.
Be a Judge
Judges can come from all backgrounds and career paths, they just need to be over 18. The young inventors are eager to hear your feedback about their amazing inventions. All you need is to attend the event in-person on April 12 from 8:30am to 1pm, and that you have a device that can access the internet (cell phones are fine, as well as tablets or laptops – WiFi is available).
Be a Volunteer
There is a lot of work involved in setting up and running our California Invention Convention. Your willing hands mean that we are able put on the best event possible to acknowledge and celebrate young inventors. Volunteers are needed to help with set-up on April 11 from 1pm to 5pm, and to help run the event on April 12 from 7am to 3pm (some shifts may end earlier!). All Saturday volunteers will have the chance to visit the Exhibit Hall.
Public Schedule
10am-11am | Museum opens to public. Invention floor closed - for Judges & Inventors only.
11am-12:30pm | Invention floor open to public with Student Inventors present to talk about their inventions.
12:30pm-1:30pm | Students may remove their inventions, floor remains open to the public to view remaining inventions.
The California Invention Convention is a registered 501(c)(3). They do not charge the schools or students for the curriculum or attendance at the event.