Ready to create the next great invention? KCIC provides access to resources, workshops, and mentors who will help you develop your ideas into real inventions that people can use to solve everyday problems. You also have the chance to win cash prizes and the opportunity to represent your school and Kansas City at the national and global competitions!
For questions, please contact invent@lindahall.org.
Participating in KCIC isn’t just about coming up with a new idea. It’s also about telling the story of how you developed your invention. Below you’ll find the tools and inspiration you’ll need to get started. If you have any questions about KCIC, please email invent@lindahall.org for assistance.
Who can participate in KCIC?
What are the invention rules for KCIC?
To compete in KCIC, you will need to create the following items for your project: an invention logbook, a display board, a prototype, and a pitch. Use the following resources to assist you as you envision your project and move through the stages of the invention process.
Logbook Guide
Pitch Guide
Display Board Guide
Do you need some help getting supplies to create your display board or prototype? We may be able to help! Email invent@lindahall.org to request the supplies you need.
Inventors have the chance to win cash prizes and the opportunity to represent their school and Kansas City at the national and global competitions! At KCIC 2025, students received over $60,000 in cash prizes and awards.
All prizes won by teams are divided equally among team members. Students must be present and compete at KCIC to receive an award.
Award opportunities include:
Summit Award for Design & Innovation, $1,500, presented by KCNSC
Inventors in our 11th/12th Grade Tier are eligible for this award.
Advanced Design & Impact Award, $1,000, presented by KCNSC
Inventors in our 9th/10th Grade Tier are eligible for this award.
Distinguished Design & Innovation Award, $500, presented by KCNSC
Inventors in our 7th/8th Grade Tier are eligible for this award.
Applied Design Excellence Award, $250, presented by KCNSC
Inventors in the 5th/6th Grade tier are eligible for this award.
Foundational Design Excellence Award, $250, presented by KCNSC
Inventors in the 3rd/4th Grade tier are eligible for this award.
Best in Show, $3,000
Awarded to the highest-scoring invention across all the grade tiers.
Educator Appreciation, $500
Given by the programming staff of the Linda Hall Library to recognize exceptional support for invention education in the Kansas City metro. Educator appreciation awards are given to educators, not student inventors.
Page to Prototype, $250, presented by Linda Hall Library Staff Activities Committee
This award will be given to a project with an exceptional logbook.
Sustainability Award, $250, presented by Linda Hall Library Sustainability Committee
This award is for a project that contributes meaningfully to sustainability, justice, and equity.
First place, $600
Second place, $450
Third place, $300
Honorable Mention, $50 gift card, 1 per student
First-place winners in each grade tier are invited to Dearborn, Michigan, to compete at Invention Convention U. S. Nationals in June and will receive a travel stipend to assist with travel expenses.
We continue to be impressed by the creative and innovative invention submissions we receive every year.
Click here to view all of our past KCIC winners and their inventions!
Each year, Best in Show winners are granted the opportunity to represent Kansas City as they present their inventions at Invention Convention U.S. Nationals!
