Welcome, Educators!
Join us at the National Innovator Challenge to empower your students and foster their creativity and problem-solving skills through innovation. Discover how our program provides a platform for young minds to showcase their ideas, collaborate with peers, and make a real impact in today’s world.
What is the Independent Innovator Challenge?
The Independent Innovator Challenge (IIC) is a pathway to the U.S. National Innovator Challenge (NIC) for students who do not have a qualifying organization to go through. We believe that everyone should have an opportunity to showcase their innovative work!
If you are uncertain whether your organization is an NIC partner, write to: NIC@hewittlearning.org
If your students do not have an NIC partner to qualify for Nationals, please apply to the Independent Innovator Challenge.
When to have things done for the IIC:
The following are dates for the IIC.
- Registration:
Registration opens on March 1, 2024.
Registration closes on April 20, 2024. Everything must be submitted by this date at midnight Pacific time. - Feedback to all Innovators:
Emailed by May 5, 2024. - Invitations for those advancing to the Live Event:
Emailed by May 5, 2024.
This email will include an invitation to a specific time slot for the live event and a date by which you will need to RSVP to ensure your slot remains available. - Live Independent Innovator Challenge via Zoom:
May 12 – 20, 2024 - Independent Innovator Challenge Celebration and Awards Ceremony:
May 26, 2024 on YouTube and Social Media.
What is the US National Innovator Challenge?
The National Innovator Challenge (NIC) is an annual, K-12, innovation competition that promotes and celebrates youth innovation in the United States. It is held virtually so that any student in the US has an opportunity to enter. The world is constantly changing, and students may graduate to work in new job types and functions that currently don’t yet exist. Critical thinking, problem solving, and innovation are skills that are already in high demand.
The primary goal of the NIC is to give every child in the United States an opportunity to learn innovation skill through unstructured problem-solving activities that connect to core STEM standards.
Students can enter the NIC directly if they are referred by a qualifying organization (a partner of the NIC). If your school or organization would like to become a partner of NIC, reach out to NIC@hewittlearning.org.
Download a Flyer for NIC 2024 to share with other students or educators who might be interested!
When to have things done for the NIC:
To register for the US NIC, you will need to qualify through the Independent Innovator Challenge or another Partner Organization:
The following are tentative dates for the NIC.
- Registration:
Registration opens on April 21, 2024.
Registration closes on June 23, 2024. Everything must be submitted by this date at midnight Pacific time. - Feedback to all Innovators:
Emailed by July 7, 2024. - Invitations for those advancing to the Live Event:
Emailed by July 7, 2024.
This email will include an invitation to a specific time slot for the live event and a date by which you will need to RSVP to ensure your slot remains available. - Live National Innovator Challenge via Zoom:
July 13 – 22, 2024 - National Innovator Challenge Celebration and Awards Ceremony:
July 28, 2024 on YouTube and Social Media.
Please review the Student Handbook and the Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.
Resources:
More resources coming…..
