Requirements and Restrictions

To participate in the EMUiNVENT, Invention Convention MI, STEMIE National Invention Convention and Entrepreneurship Expo (NICEE) in the Spring, there are certain restrictions and requirements.

Your teacher must sign off on your solution/invention before you begin building your design.

Remember that animals are not allowed at NICEE, so if your invention is for animals, you must demonstrate it in pictures or on a stuffed toy.

Demonstrations/presentations may not include human beings or other living creatures.

Your display board must be no wider than 24”’ with the 12” wings folded in.

You must have a COMPLETED, SIGNED Invention Log with each page signed by you.

Your prototype/invention should be no more than 2 feet high and 2 feet wide and be able to set on a table top.

Your invention does not have to be a working model, but you need to be able to explain how it would work. If it can be operational, it should be.

Wall outlet electricity (120 VAC) may NOT be used at NICEE. Battery powered devices are fine.

Inventors may not use lighters, matches, candles or any other open flame or heat source nor any material or liquid considered combustible.

Inventions may not contain biohazards or utilize any materials that are, or could become, dangerous.

Other restrictions include: electric stun guns, martial arts weapons, guns, replica guns, ammunitions, fireworks, knives of any size, mace, pepper spray, razors, box cutters or balloons.

If your invention cannot be actually demonstrated at NICEE due to issues with size, electricity, or hazardous materials, a video of the device in action can be shown.

Originality

It is very important that your solution is original and does not already exist or is substantially different from any other invention. These are great places to research to find out if your idea already exists:

Libraries (ask a librarian for advice on where to look!)

The internet (e.g., www.google.com , www.bing.com )

Stores (e.g., www.amazon.com, www.bestbuy.com, www.walmart.com, www.target.com)

Books about your topic(s) (look up at www.bn.com or www.amazon.com)

Professionals in the industry (check out www.linkedin.com for possible people to interview)

Trade/industry-specific publications (each industry has topical magazines and websites)

United States Patent and Trademark Office (visit www.uspto.gov to search for patents and trademarks)

Domain registrars (e.g, www.GoDaddy.com to see if your product name .com is taken)